Ocarina of Time II: Parallel Symphony

Standard disclaimer: I don't own any of these people, places or things. Heck, even most of the verbs belong to someone else. :-) All characters and settings © Nintendo. Hey, they've earned it.

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Part One: Boy

Chapter Five: Fourteen -- Water

Link rode to Lon Lon, a bag of rupees jingling from Epona's saddle horn. "Well, that's the last one for the week, old girl," he said, patting the faithful horse on the neck. Epona snorted at him, and Link laughed, jumping down. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" He took out an apple. "I should know not to mess with a woman's age. Does this make up for it?" Epona glanced at him, then bit into the apple enthusiastically. Whew. I don't think this is what they mean by an apple a day.

Epona nudged him, staggering Link slightly, then followed him placidly into the ranch. "Fairy boy!" Malon called with a wave, running up and glomping him excitedly. "You've been a stranger too long!"

"Hey, I've been by," he said, handing her the fat purse. She whistled. "There's for that last batch of deliveries. Business has been good."

Malon shrugged. "I suppose. I just wish so much of it weren't arrows and war scrolls and such. Makes me wonder how long it's gonna be before Needlenose makes his move."

"Wh-Needlenose?!" Link made a cough-like noise, caught between laughing and choking. "You don't mean Ganondorf!"

"Why, sure!" Malon laughed outright. "The minstrels have been making fun of the Great King of Evil," she said, intoning the last four words with deep mock-seriousness, "and Needlenose is their favorite 'pet name' for him." The ranch mistress giggled. "I hear he doesn't like it much."

"Neither would I," Link replied dryly. "I hope the other Gerudo don't take offense. They're touchier than the rattlers." He led Epona to the stables, rubbing her side. Malon whistled, and the door opened. Once they were in, he pulled off the saddle and the two got down to brushing the mare thoroughly. Epona took it as nothing less than her due, leaning into their ministrations like a particularly large cat.

Malon put down her currycomb and pulled out the purse, weighing it in her hand. She turned to Link, eyes narrowing. "Hey, fairy boy."

"Yes?" he called back innocently.

"This purse feels a little...fat."

Link shrugged. "Like I said, business has been good."

Malon stomped over, grabbed his arm, opened his hand, and shoved a red rupee into it. "Look, it was cute the first time, but you ain't the only one with a sense of honor! Lon Lon Ranch pays an honest day's cash for an honest day's work!" Link stared at her in amazement. "You think you've got too many rupees, give 'em to the beggars!"

"There aren't any more," Link replied. Malon blinked at him in shock. "Even with the Ganondorf situation, Zelda's advice has made Hyrule wealthier than its ever been. Some of the nobles tried to get around her for a while, but she just paid for the shelters and schools out of her own purse until she shamed them into doing it. I don't know why her father stayed out of it..." He shrugged again. "Besides, I don't really need the money." He grinned at her. "You'd be surprised how many mindless monsters have rupees on them."

"Then...then...give them to the Kokiri or Gorons or Zoras! Din, give 'em to the Deku Scrubs, I don't care!" She forced his hand closed. "We're doing fine too, and I won't have anyone saying we short the people who work for us!" She spun away.

Link wilted, his ears drooping. "I -- I didn't mean any offense, I swear by the gods," he said softly. Malon simply huffed at him. Even Epona snorted again. Defeated, Link went back to brushing the powerful horse. Out of the corner of his eye, though, he caught Malon peek back at him from over his shoulder. He perked up again, ears wobbling from the sudden motion.

Malon giggled, defeated. "Okay, okay, you win. I don't have a chance against that hangdog look of yours." She winked at him. "Lucky for you I've got my sights set on bagging a knight."

Whew. Link laughed back. "Oh, I'd say the knight's the lucky one."

"Watch it, fairy boy, or I just might decide to get you knighted." They laughed together at that. It wasn't long before Malon turned serious again, though. "Is it really true? Zelda actually managed to see that no one's poor any more?"

Link nodded. "Some folks are still struggling, sure," he said, giving Epona one last rub. The horse nodded, then dug into the feed bag with relish. "Even Zelda can only do so much about the weather or bad seasons. The Gerudo raids have been getting worse, not even counting the Temple attacks. The rest, though, well, she makes sure that there's always enough supplies for people in need, and training for anyone who's lost their livelihood to a disaster or raid."

"I'd call a raid that bad a disaster, you ask me," Malon replied, walking alongside him as they headed back out. "She's gonna be a legend, that girl."

Link nodded. "She deserves it," he said quietly. "She can out-shoot anyone short of the Gerudo, she beat everyone who came at her in the King's bizarre challenge, she's one of the smartest, most powerful mages alive, and she's already one of the greatest rulers Hyrule has ever known. Farore, if Marth pesters her for advice one more time..." At that, Malon giggled. Link looked at her seriously as well. "I'm glad she has friends now, though."

"Besides you, you mean," she said, punching him lightly in the shoulder.

"Yeah." Link nodded. "Not that I've ever figured out what you and Zelda and Ruto and Saria talk about when it's just the four of you. Gods, I couldn't talk to anyone that long without going stir-crazy."

"You're a boy," Malon said simply. "You're about the best there is of 'em, but you're still a boy." She grinned as they headed for the kitchen. "Maybe we talk about you all the time."

Link rolled his eyes. "Right. I'm sure I'm endlessly fascinating."

"Hey, the minstrels tell lots of stories about you too, you know," she said, laughing when he gaped. "Trust me, none of them call you 'Needlenose.' I think a minstrel as did'd get lynched! Anyway, Zelda does most of the talking about you. Me and Saria just get all dreamy and girly." She winked at him again.

Link laughed. "Sure." He stopped laughing immediately. "And Princess Ruto?"

"I think Ruto's a little jealous," Malon said, becoming more serious. "Everyone knows you've got eyes for only one girl, and it's sure not Ruto."

"I'm Zelda's Hero," he said quietly, looking away. "I'll always be there for her. Anything else, though--" he looked up. "Farore. At least I got some warning this time..."

"Hey," Malon said, looking up and rubbing her arms. "Is there a chill in the air?"

"Yes." Link gave her a quick, one-armed hug, pulling out the Ocarina with his free hand. "I've got to go. Keep an eye on Epona for me?"

"'For you?'" Malon shoved him playfully. "I let you ride her, and don't you forget it!"

"Epona lets me ride her," Link quipped. "You find anyone else who can, besides you, and I'll be happy to share." With that, he sent the Prelude of Light soaring to the sky. A moment later, he followed it.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Zelda plucked irritably at her harp, her ancestors' lullaby echoing through her room. Fourteen months, she thought in annoyance. Fourteen! What is that sadistic despot up to? It had taken little convincing to have her father and Onox increase Hyrule's military readiness. Scouts patrolled the borders. The wizards and psychics of their kingdom constantly watched the edges of the Gerudo desert. None of them had learned anything of significance. Seers who peered too deeply into the wastes were found frozen to death in their rooms, and scouts who did the same never returned. Only Link could reach as far as the Gerudo Fortress; even the Gerudo most devoted to their king welcomed the Hero as one of their own. Strange beyond reckoning, Zelda thought, not for the first time. Nabooru couldn't seem to explain it any more than a fish could swimming.

Most other matters were going well, at least. The people were well cared for, limiting Ganondorf's chances at undermining their rule. As if that were the only reason for doing our duty as nobility, she thought angrily, remembering Veran's venom toward her suggestions. With Doc Bandam having yielded his Council seat even more readily than she'd expected, Zelda finally had true authority to implement her ideals and policies. In the princess' personal development, her training with Impa was proceeding as well as could be expected with the increase in her duties, and she had bested every knight and spellcaster Father had sent to challenge her, if some only barely.

The only reason I won, though, is that none of them were skilled in both. It had been simple enough to evade the warriors and thrash them with bursts of power, and few sorcerers had taken more than a single blow to fell. Zelda wasn't sure if she could have beaten Onox, but he, too, was ineligible for several reasons, not the least of which...

"I will not deny it," Onox said darkly, arms folded. "I detest the boy." Most of his fellow councillors looked at each other uncomfortably.

Zelda had seldom loved her father so much as when thunderheads formed on his brow in that moment. "How dare you?" he demanded. "That Hero has saved this kingdom many times over! Our allies in every direction revere his name!"

"You asked for my opinion, Your Majesty," Onox replied coolly. "I gave it. If you do not wish me to be honest, merely say so. I will tender my resignation in the morning."

Though she almost challenged him on it, Zelda held her tongue. Daphnes scowled. "Fair enough, Onox, but I find your reaction outrageous all the same. What possible reason can you have for such rancor?"

"There is an order to a kingdom," Onox said, going completely cold. "Kings rule, nobles administer, sorcerers and military leaders serve them, then knights and gentry, and finally the yeomen and peasants of the fields. Once, there were serfs below them."

"Serfdom was abolished centuries ago," Zelda replied, allowing the heat to touch her voice. "If you long for those dark days, perhaps--"

"Zelda," the king said softly, and the princess forced her jaw to click shut. "And you see Link as a threat to this order?"

"A threat?" Onox snorted like a bull preparing to charge. "When he acts, he upends the order entirely. Some landless orphan, less than the least peasant, with no home or family, does the work of the knights and mages of Hyrule. His stories spread on the wind, from those he is confirmed to have performed by Darunia himself to outrageous tales of other worlds with giant clocks and falling moons."

"And everyone on this world owes their lives to him more times than you can count, Lord General," Zelda retorted hotly. "If you think you have a better candidate to be the Hero of Time, take it up with the goddesses!"

"I did not say that he was not...useful," Onox replied slowly, if with some annoyance. "I simply stated my feelings on the matter. I do not speak of my feelings often; now you know why."

"Indeed," Minister Potho huffed. "Shall we move on to the next order of business, Your Majesty?"

In retrospect, Zelda felt she'd been a bit unfair. Onox felt as he felt. He would not have spoken had he not been asked.

That doesn't stop him from being an ungrateful wretch! she thought furiously. Placing the harp carefully on her desk, she sat on the floor, folded her legs, steepled her fingers, and began the First Mind Kata. Onox was barely an annoyance at his worst. She knew what her real worry was.

Ganondorf. He was growing more powerful by the day. Stalfos had been spotted in the mountains separating Hyrule from Altea. Poes were increasingly common in outlying areas, rising almost reliably from the sites of Gerudo raids. Rumor had it that there was an entire army of Lizalfos somewhere in the desert, but their numbers had not remotely been confirmed -- no surprise, that, given their intelligence woes.

Zelda sighed, giving up the Sheikah Mind Kata as a lost cause, and paced determinedly. All her training, all her skills and gifts and powers, and she still felt powerless against his evil.

She frowned as a cold wind blew into her room through the open window, blinking in amazement at the hints of frost on the metalwork. Frost? In Highsummer? Nothing natural in that, or I'm a dodongo. The Sage closed the window with a gesture, her power of mind over matter making the act as simple as a thought, then turned to the door.

It opened, this time not by her will. Link entered with a grim expression. "Your Highness," he said formally, bowing well enough that even the court would have to accept it as proper. Navi emerged and dipped down to hover at the same height as his hat.

She knew she shouldn't have done it, but Zelda couldn't help herself. She cuffed him lightly across his spiky hair. "Don't you ever do that again," she breathed. He looked up, grinning faintly, then stood up straight. He rubbed the back of his neck, making her heart do flip-flops. Navi giggled and zipped back into his hat. Worse every time... she refused to let the thought finish. "What's wrong?"

"That frost tells me you already know, Zel," he said softly, humor fading away. "Ganondorf's moving again."

"Perhaps, but how?" Zelda resumed her pacing. "A cool breeze in Highsummer is hardly an act of terror." She grimaced. "Impa, of course, is unavailable. She had to return to Kakariko to maintain the seals on the Shadow Temple."

"Bongo Bongo," Link said darkly, eyes narrowing.

Zelda snorted. "I'll never get over that name."

"It suits him," Link drawled. "He's one of the most dangerous creatures I've ever fought. Even Sheik was no match for him, and I only barely beat him with the Lens."

"Well, our world's Sheik will be a different story," she insisted.

"Fortunately, we won't have to find out today." Link looked out the window again. "Do you remember what Ganondorf did to the Zoras during his reign?"

Zelda frowned in thought, half-formed memories sorting through her mind. Then it came to her in a rush, and she paled. "Oh no."

Link nodded. "I half-considered not telling you, but Sheik saved Ruto, and...I made a promise."

"I give you my word, my Hero," Zelda replied, putting as much sincerity as she could into her voice, "you will not regret that promise." She performed the necessary kuji-in, and Zelda vanished, replaced by Sheik. He nodded again, this time absently, still looking outside. She walked up to him, retrieving her harp as she did, and placed her hand on his shoulder. After a moment's consideration, he played the Minuet of Forest, and a swirl of green light and the mana of life itself carried them away.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Gods, I'm pathetic, Link thought miserably as they emerged from the shortcut to Zora's Domain. I don't know what I'm more afraid of, Zelda facing the Water Temple, or me, facing...me. He swallowed the moment he was on dry land again, his Zora Tunic drying off almost the instant it was exposed to air. "You okay, Sheik?" he asked, helping her up.

"The Sheikah and Zoras have long been allies," she explained as she let him guide her to the surface. "None who wear the sacred garb of our tribe ever need fear the water."

"Hm." Link raised an eyebrow. I know exactly who she is this time, he thought wryly, but Sheik still sounds like...Sheik. He chuckled as they continued up the path. I suppose I shouldn't mention Like-Likes just now. The Hero reached the Triforce symbol, and froze as completely as the waterfall before him. "Oh no."

"We are too late to stop Ganondorf," Sheik replied, "but not to undo his evil."

"If we can even get in," Link grumbled. He pulled out the Ocarina and played Zelda's Lullaby, hoping that it would work anyway.

The ice trembled for a moment, then cracked, and finally shattered in a perfect triangle. Navi shot out of his hat and stared at the opening in amazement. "Wow," the fairy breathed.

"Indeed," Sheik agreed.

"It still doesn't help the Zoras. Let's go." Link leaped in with Navi, Sheik following. They stared in horror at the Domain. Though they both knew that the Zoras were alive, just dormant, it still looked like a horrible, icy tomb. "Do you know where Ruto was?"

"She was right there," Sheik intoned grimly, pointing at the frozen pool immediately to their left. "She had nearly escaped, allowing me to use Din's Fire to free her without real harm."

"But she's not there now," Navi pointed out.

"We know, Navi," Link said, trying to keep the worry out of his voice. "Keep an eye out." He strode forward, looking around suspiciously. "I am so glad we already cleared out the Ice Cavern and the Kakariko Well."

They crept up the ramp, Navi spinning around the pair. Link knew his paranoia was rubbing off on his old friend, but he couldn't help it. This place was bad enough the first time, he thought darkly. How in Farore's name did he freeze the waterfall? At least that triangle was a good omen, I hope. Sheik merely padded along placidly, as unflappable as Link remembered. She's certainly not the nervous princess in Sheikah's clothing who went into the Fire Temple with me. That thought was his only comfort. Finally they entered the throne room. Link stopped and stared in horror, Navi swirling in alarm. "Din, Nayru and Farore," he breathed, vapor clouding from his breath. Sheik stepped around him, and froze as well.

King Zora was frozen in red ice on his dais, but below him, where he received visitors, was Ruto, imprisoned in normal ice up to her neck. What little of her was free shivered fiercely, her tears freezing where they hit her prison. She turned to look at them, the effort clearly agonizing, and her eyes widened. "s-so...cold..." she gasped.

Thought vanished from Link's mind. He shot a fire arrow into the nearest torch, stuck a Deku Stick in it, and leaped to Ruto's side, hacking at the ice with the Gilded Sword in his left hand and holding the burning stick to it with his right. "Hang on, Ruto," he said, Sheik already on the other side of the block carving away with her knives, "we'll get you out of there."

To his amazement, Ruto smiled weakly. "...i...know..." she breathed as deeply as her prison allowed. "...the...hero..." Her eyes fluttered.

"No," Sheik said forcefully. "Ruto, talk. About anything. It doesn't matter."

"...beautiful...legs..." Ruto looked into Link's eyes.

Din sear it, I don't have time to be embarrassed, Link thought fiercely. "This isn't working. Stand back, Sheik." He planted the stick in the ice and drew the Megaton Hammer.

Sheik's eyes widened. "Link, are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Gods no," he said with a grimace, "but it's all I've got left that won't kill her instantly. Navi, spot for me." The fairy loyally appeared over what looked to both orphan and fairy like the best place to strike.

"...do...it..." Ruto whispered.

He did. With a desperate cry, he brought the Hammer down. The block shattered perfectly, leaving Ruto collapsed in a pile of crushed ice. Link practically teleported to her side, holding her in his arms and rubbing her as vigorously as he dared in her condition. Thank you, gods! he thought, seeing that she wasn't frostbitten -- maybe Zoras couldn't be. It didn't matter just then. He pulled out a bottled fairy. "Here. Take this, then open it."

Ruto reached for the bottle, but her hand slid off before she could grip it. "...s'okay...this...not so...bad..." her smile weakened.

"Farore," he swore. Sheik danced around them, the incarnation of energy without release. "Navi, can you get this fairy to heal Ruto instead of trying to affect me?"

Navi bobbed uncertainly for a moment. "Try placing the bottle on her chest," she said quickly. "Then open it."

Link obeyed, carrying her to the torch and laying her on the ground there. Well, if this doesn't work, I have three more. Next time, though, I bring a potion. You can force-feed someone a potion. Nayru, please. He pulled the cork.

Navi and the pink fairy swirled in the air, then wove around Ruto in unison, twin trails of light spiraling around the Zora princess. She gasped, feet drumming against the ground, then leaped to her feet. "That was amazing!" she cried.

Then she kissed him full on the lips.

Everything seemed to explode. Link's eyes went wide. He tried to move, but nothing seemed to work. Sheik cleared her throat, loudly.

Slowly, the Zora princess released the Hero, smiling up at him. "Not bad," she said. "You need more practice, though. I would've sworn that was your first real kiss."

"If you're done molesting the Hero," Sheik said sharply, "your people need you."

Ruto whirled on the young Sheikah. "I was showing my gratitude," she said coolly, hands on her hips. Oboy, Link groaned inwardly. "We will need time to save my people, far more than I'd like, but taking this moment to thank Link will hardly do them more harm." She looked away pointedly, striding up the path behind the royal dais. "Come. At least we can help my father and the merchant. We must collect Blue Fire from the Ice Cavern. After that..."

Link frowned. "The Water Temple," he said, his voice trembling just slightly. Gods be good.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Sheik knew full well where her attention should be. Of all the Temples he'd faced, none seemed to silence Link more quickly than this one. The others were unpleasant memories. This one...this one, he feared. It was the one danger he'd never confided in her about.

Ironically, she didn't even feel that tiny old wound. Just then, she wasn't Sheik, disguise or no. Zelda was churning in her mind, fury bubbling inside her. That harpy! I'll throttle her! See how the mighty Zora princess with the strength of ten Hylians likes Sheikah battle arts and the power of a wizard combined!

Sheik reasserted herself. Master yourself, woman, she insisted to herself. Courage may not be the lack of fear, but Link barely knows the word's meaning when it comes to his own safety. She gazed placidly at the puzzle before the trio, Link studying it carefully as Ruto tapped her foot impatiently. He fears something, here. Something worse than physical danger.

I should have told him, Zelda moaned inwardly. Sure, we've been mostly kids all this time, but we're hardly too young to express our feelings any more. Nayru, please let them be our feelings.

Enough! Sheik mentally shoved 'Zelda' into a bottle and stoppered it. Impa would be ashamed! He needs a clear-headed warrior by his side now, not some love-sick child dreaming of fairy tale rescuers. At that, her mind settled down, only the echo of one memory flickering through the rebellious part of her -- Link standing there, looking up with endless depths of relief, as she floated down to the man who had vanquished Ganondorf himself to save her. Not this time, both sides of her thought with grave determination. He will never again be in danger because of me.

She looked at the room filled with crystal switches and odd sea serpent heads. "I think I've got it," Link said suddenly, and started hitting switches and using the Hookshot to cross from dragon head to dragon head. "Gods, it's been too long. I can't remember half this stuff any more."

"Don't feel bad, Link," Navi said encouragingly. "Even if you do forget, you beat these weird things once, you can do it again!"

Ruto smiled in reflected triumph, but Sheik put a hand on her shoulder. "A word, Your Highness?" she asked calmly. "May we have a moment, Hero?"

Link's eyes flickered to the pair. "Oh-kay," he said slowly. Then he brightened. "In fact, why don't you two wait here. I'll go on ahead--"

"Don't even think about it," both women said in unison. Link sighed and opened the door, waiting just outside the room.

Ruto turned to Sheik, arms folded. "All right, sister, let's hear it," the Zora said bluntly.

"Link," Sheik said as evenly, "is not interested in your...offer."

"I don't need you to tell me that," Ruto hissed. Sheik cocked her head in surprise. "I know where his heart is. It's not with me, but don't think you can steal it either, Sheikah. I don't know what pit Impa found you in, but whatever she's taught you, there are some things you'll never know." She leaned forward until their noses were almost touching. "And you know what? That's just fine, as long as you know this: Link deserves better than a shadow of a woman!"

"You care for him," Sheik said slowly. "You truly care."

Ruto glared at the apprentice Sheikah. "Believe it. Zelda isn't the only princess who owes her whole world to that Hylian, and she isn't the only one who appreciates him for it, either." She looked into the distance and smiled. "Besides, I already have a boyfriend."

Sheik blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"I'm not going to let Zelda off that easily, of course," Ruto said, a cunning smile forming as she looked at Sheik sideways, "but this sweet young Zora lord's been wooing me. We Zoras mature faster than you Hylians, you know. He's fine and lithe and graceful, he serenades me by moonlight with Nayru's own voice, and he's found these flowers that glow when the stars come out..." her smile faded and vanished like a Poe at dawn. "My Mikali is frozen under that ice," she said with a bitter edge, then stared daggers into Sheik's eyes. "Remember that the next time you accuse me of neglecting my people."

Gods be good. Sheik bowed. "You have my deepest and most sincere apologies, Princess. Rest assured that I will do my utmost to help you save your people and your love."

Ruto looked away, trembling slightly. "Thank you," she said quietly. "Now. I believe we've kept the Hero waiting long enough. Shall we?"

"Indeed." Sheik darted from dragon head to dragon head while the Zora princess leaped alongside her. "Ruto." The Zora nodded. "Have you noticed the Hero's trepidation?"

Again, Ruto nodded. "There is a chamber in our Temple that allows one to confront one's illusions about oneself. Water is reflective, but sometimes also deceptive." She grimaced. "Nayru only knows what that evil sorcerer twisted it into." Sheik frowned at that.

They landed near the door. Link turned and smiled weakly at the pair. "Ready?"

Sheik nodded. "Link," Ruto said slowly, peering at him with obvious concern, "the Hall of Illusion...what did you find there?"

Link trembled and looked away. "My Shadow. Do not confront him." He walked forward, his stride that of a man confronting the gallows and determined to acquit himself well.

Your Shadow? Sheik gazed at the Hero in wonder. How in Farore's name could that have been so terrible?

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

"Here we are," Link whispered. He raised his hand, but couldn't seem to make himself open the door. Farore, help me!

"You can do it, Link!" Navi cheered.

"Remember," Ruto added quickly, "whatever you saw before was not true. It was Ganondorf's evil, making a mockery of insight."

"I wish I believed that," Link said, swallowing. In a rush, he grabbed the door and threw it open, drawing his sword and leaping in. The pond, the tree, it was all as he remembered. "Stay back," he said, voice strengthening. I can't let him hurt them! I won't! "Hit him from a distance, keep moving, and for Din's sake don't let him grab you."

"Him?" Ruto's head recoiled slightly.

"You heard Link before," Sheik said warily. "We face the Shadow of the Hero himself."

"Link?" Zelda whispered from the tree.

All three froze. Link's heart pounded like Bongo Bongo's drum. "That's -- that's not possible--" he staggered forward, trying to bring his sword up. Zelda stepped out from behind the tree, eyes glowing red, skin a pale blue with black veins popping out along her skin, but still clearly Zelda. Link's arms wouldn't obey his mind. His heart was in command; the sword stayed down.

"You speak the truth, Hero," Sheik whispered back, concern starting to creep into her voice. "That is not the princess. She is not your charge. You must fight."

"Link," the false Zelda gasped again, the black veins spreading. "I'm -- I'm sorry -- I couldn't -- you have to -- to stop me!" She screamed, and Dark Fire enveloped her.

"Ze--" Link took a step forward, about to run to her, when Ruto and Sheik each grabbed an arm.

"Link, NO!" Ruto shouted, her grip incredible. "It's not her, it's an illusion!"

"Listen to Princess Ruto," Sheik said, her eternal calm wavering. "Ganondorf thinks you cannot face her. He is wrong."

"Is he?" Dark Zelda laughed as the flames receded. She floated into the air, Dark Fire burning above each hand. Aside from the sheath of darkness, she was an exact replica of Hyrule's Princess. Her eyes were black voids, hidden by the shadow, but every other detail was etched exactly in lines of gray on her endless black depths. "Release my Hero, you envious fools. Release him and flee, and I may spare your lives." She smiled cruelly. "Then again, I may not. I am tired of sharing him."

Sheik trembled, then snarled and rolled forward, needle-blades flying. Dark Zelda laughed again, contemptuously, and a mockery of Nayru's Love sprang up, deflecting the needles as if they were rain drops. "Link, you must act," Sheik said grimly. Then she gasped and dodged a ball of Dark Fire.

"Sheik!" Zelda! Link's paralysis vanished, and he ran to her. The Hero blocked another blast of Dark Fire aimed at Sheik, then charged at their shadow-foe. She floated away easily, her laughter vanishing as she regarded the Hero seriously. "They're right," he said to the replica, voice shaking less than he'd feared. "You're not Zelda."

"I am her Shadow," Dark Zelda said, a hint of pleading in her voice. "There is more of her in me than you think." She hovered away, not attacking the Hero. Link grimaced and kept as evenly centered between the three women as he could. Fight me, Din burn you, he thought, caught between desperation and fury. "She will not share herself with you as you deserve." Behind Link, Sheik stumbled. What in Farore's name? Link thought wildly. That was a shameless lie! Zelda can't believe that! His eyes narrowed. "I can give you everything, my Hero. Everything she can not," Dark Zelda pleaded.

"I," Link hissed, sheathing the sword and summoning the Fairy Bow, "am not your Hero."

The pleading expression warped and turned into a hideous mask of scorned fury. "SO BE IT!" she wailed, and a massive ball of Dark Fire formed in her hands, pulsing and growing.

Oh, I know this trick, Link thought grimly. A flicker of thought and a flow of mana formed Light at the end of his arrow, and he loosed it. Dark Zelda screamed in pain, fell into the water, and sank through the floor.

Ruto exhaled in relief. "It's over."

Link shook his head, circling the lone 'tree' warily. "Not a chance," he said, voice grim as death. "The shadow copies the strength of the original. Zelda would never fall to one arrow, even a Shadow Arrow. This one won't die from a single Light Arrow either."

The Zelda with red eyes and blue skin arose from the ground, the arrow still piercing her heart. "Link," she sobbed in despair.

Farore! Link spun, arrow at the ready...but he could see her eyes this time. He froze.

The Shadow engulfed her again. Dark Zelda laughed and rose into the sky. "It will not be so easy," she intoned, the royal heir pronouncing sentence, "a second time."

Ruto glared at the creature. Then she sang a single, pure note, and the entire chamber resonated. Dark Zelda screamed again, this time in outrage. She gestured at Ruto, and a beam of ice Link knew all too well shot at the Zora. Ruto rolled away. "Now, Sheik!"

Sheik shot her chain at Dark Zelda's foot and leaped up at her, kick aimed for her head. "Sheik, watch out!" Link shouted, but Dark Zelda spun instantly in the air, blocking the kick instinctively with one of her own. Their legs met with identical motions, and each flew back, Sheik landing in a crouch, Dark Zelda floating near the wall and watching the 'Sheikah' curiously, head tilted slightly.

"How queer," the Shadow thing said, regarding Sheik intently. "Did I train you? I do not know you, which should be impossible. Yet I react to you as if you were me, and that is impossible."

"To the Sheikah," Sheik said coolly, "the word 'impossible' does not exist."

Dark Zelda chuckled. It was almost like listening to his Zelda, and that was driving Link mad. "A pity that this possibility does you no favors. DIE!" More Dark Fire shot from the Shadow's hands, and Sheik cartwheeled away. Link gritted his teeth and fired another Light Arrow, but Dark Zelda dodged with ease, sliding in the air to avoid the attack. "And you, treacherous Hero," she said, her anger not quite hiding her grief, "you will pay for choosing these two sirens over me!"

"Choosing us -- over you?!" Ruto howled. Again she sang that one pure note, but only for an instant. The room rang like a bell, and Dark Zelda fell to the ground. Ruto hit her. Hard. "Vile fool," Ruto snarled, kicking at the replica as Dark Zelda recoiled. "The Hero's instincts may slow him against this image, but you'll never deceive him with your pathetic puppet." She slashed at the Shadow princess with an arm fin, then punched her again, forcing her to descend into the illusory water. "Link and Zelda have a bond stronger than you can imagine, one you'll never touch!" She looked up, eyes almost crazed with outrage. "You hear me, Ganondorf? This is one battle you can never win!"

"Whoa," Link breathed.

"Accursed Zora harridan!" Dark Zelda cried as she rose from the floor again. "I am not Ganondorf! I am Zelda's true self!" She glared at Ruto hatefully. "And the rest are such pretty words, yet they can hardly mask how you covet that which will never be yours!"

Ruto winked at the Shadow creature. "Right. That's why I got his first kiss," she laughed.

Dark Zelda's eye voids filled half her face, and she screamed like all the hatred in the world. It almost sounds like Ganon, Link thought in horror. Streams of Dark Fire shot at Ruto, who dodged with astonishing grace even for her, but Dark Zelda simply unleashed too much power for Ruto to evade them all. Even as Link rushed to her side, the Mirror Shield flashing into existence to replace his trusty Hylian one, a slashing beam hit the Zora in the leg and sent her sprawling. Ruto grunted and fell, and the remaining beams converged.

Link was there half a second before Dark Zelda's wrath, and the Mirror Shield filled with shadowy power. Dark Zelda's empty eyes went wide, and the power shot back at her. She flew back and fell, descending into the floor again. "Thanks," Ruto said weakly. "Owww..."

"Can you move?" Link asked, immediately moving to stand between her and the tree. He glanced over his shoulder just enough to keep both the Zora princess and the tree in view.

"What, because of this?" Ruto stood, favoring her good leg, but still dancing back and forth behind the Hero. "I've had worse. Just an hour ago, for that matter." She grimaced, flexing her leg slowly. "Of course, that's the only time I've had worse..."

Link grinned at her encouragingly. "You're doing fine, Your Highness." Incongruously, Sheik grinned at that. #Hey, Navi, any ideas?#

#Sorry, Link,# Navi replied mournfully.

#It's okay,# Link 'pathed, moving slowly towards the tree. #We'll think of something.# He looked over to the Sheikah. "Got anything, Sheik?"

"I must have thrown a hundred needles into her back while you were defending Ruto," Sheik snarled. "She ignored them."

Link sighed and nodded. "This one's mine, then."

"I AM NOT!" Dark Zelda howled as she exploded from the tree's island. "I offered myself to you, and you REJECTED me!" Smaller blasts of Dark Fire exploded around the Hero like popcorn, and Link gritted his teeth, ducking behind the Mirror Shield. I'm running out of ideas. The Fierce Deity Mask, long neglected in his fairy space, pulsed to him. No! I'm not that desperate! The thought of putting on Onigami anywhere frightened him, but in here? Gods alone know what that would do. I could -- I could become Dark Link. The Hero froze.

Dark Zelda smiled coldly. "What is this, Hero? Have you realized the futility of resisting me? The Zora princess is out of tricks," she said, voice dripping with contempt as Ruto glared at her, "and the Sheikah, hah! Pathetic! What good is a servant of the Shadow against the Shadow itself?"

Sheik's eyes widened, then she looked at her hands. "I've been such a fool," she whispered.

"Don't say that," Link replied, dodging and slashing up at Dark Zelda. She laughed and floated higher. Link did a quick mental calculation. The results froze his heart. I can't reach her at her highest...but Onigami can. Farore!

"It's true. I let my pride leave you and Ruto to fight that thing without me." Sheik glared at Dark Zelda, the Sheikah's hands coming together in front of her. "But no more!" She performed one of their hand symbols, their 'kuji-in,' and there was an swirl of light.

Zelda stood there, glowing like the sun. Dark Zelda boggled at the sight. "What in Mandrag's name?"

"How dare you speak that name with my voice!" Zelda roared like a lion. She floated into the air, Din's Fire crackling around her. "How DARE you! My Shadow, are you?!" Ruto's eyes went as wide as the full moon, staring at the pair in complete shock. "You hurt my friends! You hurt our Hero! There is nothing of me in you!"

Dark Zelda sneered. "You'd like to believe that, wouldn't you?" she shot back. Zelda shook, but didn't retreat. "You'll never tell him, will you? It hurt when you realized that he didn't tell you about his Shadow, but did you tell him about yours?" The Shadow princess circled the true one, watching her, weighing her. "Did you tell him about me? How possessive you are in your heart? How tired you are of those idiots in the court?"

"Shut up," Zelda hissed.

"Don't listen to her, Zel!" Link shouted. "She knows your every move! She'll mimic the blows closest to your heart! You've got to use different skills and weapons!" Without thinking, he summoned the Megaton Hammer. With an annoyed gesture, he banished it, the Fairy Bow returning to his hands.

"You think you're so brave, facing monsters like Volvagia," Dark Zelda continued mockingly, "but you know what a coward you really are. Can you admit the truth?" Zelda winced, wavering in the air. Her Shadow laughed dismissively. "I thought not. Haah!" She flew at the true princess with a deadly kick. Zelda blocked with her arm, but just barely.

Link took aim, but even with Navi's help, didn't dare fire. The two princesses were engaged in a blur of deadly martial arts combat, a duel of fists and feet that left them so close, moving so quickly, he could just as easily hit the real Zelda as the false one. "Zel, use your magic!" Din sear me! What do I do? He looked at Ruto helplessly. The Zora looked away, then tried her pure note one last time. Again, the room rang, but far more weakly this time. Dark Zelda didn't even bother to share her contempt, so intent was she on destroying the original.

The Fierce Deity Mask pulsed more hungrily at him. I can't hit her with a sword any easier than I could with an arrow, he told himself. The mask was unconvinced. Neither was Link. It was the only way he even might be able to help Zelda now.

"Link?" Navi asked with alarm as he reached into his pouch. "Link, what are you doing?" she cried as he pulled out the mask.

"I have to try, Navi," Link said desperately. Time to face my darkness after all, he thought miserably. He thrust the mask on all at once, before he could change his mind. His scream brought the battle to a halt, both Zeldas staring wide-eyed at him as the change took him, overwhelmed him, and consumed him. Link fell to his knees.

Oni Link stood, the great spiraling blade in his hand. He looked at Dark Zelda with a predatory smile. "You want me, little girl?" he laughed. "Here I am. Come and get me!" Dark Zelda licked her lips, half in hunger, half nervously. This is going to be easier than I thought, Oni Link thought with satisfaction.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Din, Nayru and Farore! Zelda thought, horrified. Link may not have told her about this chamber before, but he'd described the feeling of power the Mask gave him. The arrogant might, the confidence it filled him with...and how much he feared it.

Her Shadow's reaction was...different. "Nayru, look at him. He's gorgeous." She looked at Zelda with a smirk. "And you never talked him into wearing that?"

"That's not Link," Zelda said coldly.

"Perhaps you're right," Dark Zelda replied, floating away from the Sage of Time. "Perhaps he's not your Hero." She floated down to the transformed Hero, smiling seductively at him. "Perhaps he's mine."

Zelda's eyes widened. A rage she hadn't thought possible consumed her. "DON'T YOU TOUCH HIM!" she roared, and Dark Zelda spun to see the princess form a bow out of Light itself. Thank Din, it worked! An arrow formed in it, and before the Shadow could vanish, Zelda loosed her attack. Dark Zelda screamed and flew back.

Oni Link caught her easily, and Zelda gasped. He held Dark Zelda by the back of her dress. "Give me one reason not to kill you right now," he said, a smile of absolute confidence on his face.

"Oh, I think I can come up with something," Dark Zelda replied breathily, turning as much as his grip allowed. She looked up at him, lips inviting. Oni Link raised an eyebrow, considering. Farore, Zelda swore. "All I ask of you is that you do as you desire. All I ask...is that you take what is yours."

"Your eyes..." he whispered with a frown. Hope swelled in the true Zelda. She has no eyes! she realized. She didn't know why she'd sensed how important her eyes were to him or what it meant, but in that instant Zelda knew. You lose, sow, she thought, and laughed.

"Move!" Zelda commanded, and even Oni Link obeyed. Dark Zelda looked up in horror. "DIN'S FIRE!" Zelda roared, and a burst of flame the size of a small room shot at the impostor. Dark Zelda screamed one last time, then vanished completely. "And that," she said firmly, "is why a lady should be able to take care of herself, Hero or no Hero." The illusory pond vanished, leaving only a plain, empty room save for the chest at the far end.

Ruto whistled. "Remind me never to get on your bad side." Then the Zora's eyes widened. "Um, Zelda..."

"It's okay," the Hylian princess replied with a light chuckle. "I just got a long, hard look at the green-eyed monster." She looked at Ruto kindly. One of my best friends, she realized. "I definitely don't want that thing coming between us, do you?"

Ruto smiled back in vast relief. Then her eyes went wide again, and she pointed behind Zelda. "Uh...Zel...behind..."

All at once the world spun, and she was gripped inescapably in Oni Link's arms. They were like forged steel, with a strength that could rend a Goron in half. He was more than a head taller than her, with a body sculpted by Farore Herself. The gleaming azure armor only made him more striking, and the markings on his face gave him the air of some great animal god, ferocious and invincible. She licked her lips nervously (nothing like my Shadow, she tried to tell herself). He growled faintly, smiling down at her. "Ah. There. Those eyes. My eyes," he whispered.

Zelda paled. Oni Link's eyes were naught but fields of white power. "Link...your eyes..."

"It has never been that way with you," he said fiercely. "Can you tell me you don't want this?"

The princess' heart was pounding like the Megaton Hammer. Why doesn't Ruto say something? Where's Navi, Din sear it? Zelda trembled. She tried to speak, but her voice betrayed her. "I...I want..." she gasped. Nothing else would form.

"I know what you want," Oni Link said, leaning closer. "Speak it, and it is yours." The predator's smile became triumphant.

Nayru give me strength! Zelda knew what she wanted. She also knew what was right. This once, they weren't the same thing. I won't betray him. "Link, I want you...to..." Say it, Din burn you! "...to take off the mask," she said in a rush.

Oni Link blinked in surprise, then released her. Zelda was amazed to find that her arms didn't hurt in the slightest. With astonishing speed, he grabbed his forehead and pulled. The implosion looked even more painful than the original transformation, but at the end, Link was back. He fell to his knees, the mask tumbling from his grip. "Link! Are you all right?!" she and Ruto said as one.

With a wordless cry, he called the Hammer from fairy space and brought it down with a terrible crash on the Fierce Deity Mask. "Din burn you!" he screamed. Zelda shook. Nayru...such pain... Tears formed in her eyes, and she blinked them away before Link could see them.

The Mask, miraculously, was unharmed. Link glared at it for a moment, then sighed, picked it up and shoved it in his pouch. He walked over to the chest and opened it, grabbing the extended Hookshot and throwing it savagely into the air. It actually bounced off the ceiling before Time sent it away. "Come on," he said dully, head lowered, walking toward the door. "There's still Morpha to deal with. The Zoras need us."

Ruto looked from Zelda to Link, frozen as completely she'd been when they first found her, then rushed to follow. "Link..."

"I'm fine," he said gruffly, opening the door. Zelda rushed to his side.

"Link, you did nothing wrong," Zelda said quickly.

The Hero looked up, his eyes meeting hers, and the brief glimpse of anguish tortured Zelda. A hard iron mask went over his face, even concealing the pain in his eyes, and somehow, he smiled for her. "Thank you," he said. She knew he didn't believe her -- not that he thought she lied, only that he believed her wrong. The smile vanished. "You should change back into Sheik," he said tonelessly. "We needed Zelda against that evil mockery, but the Sheikah chain will be priceless against Morpha."

Zelda nodded and transformed. "We will speak of this later," Sheik said calmly.

Link sighed and turned, shoulders hunching. "I know," he said softly. "Let's go." He straightened again and strode toward the next battle.

Oh no you don't, Zelda thought firmly. I may have won the physical battle, but you took a terrible wound for me. There is no way I'm going to let you leave it at that.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

"Sheik!" Ruto shouted. Link grunted in pain as Morpha's tentacle crushed him.

The Sheikah's chain lashed out and hit the ancient Zora foe's nucleus with her usual uncanny accuracy. The instant it came out, Morpha's fluid form burst, and Link fell into the water. Ruto slashed at it with her fins while Sheik danced around, throwing needle after needle into their enemy.

Finally, it burst just as Link climbed onto the floor, rising shakily to his knees. "Who, exactly," he said with a grin, "is whose hero here, again?"

Ruto smiled back broadly. "Hey, even Heroes can use some help sometimes!"

Sheik nodded, expressionless. "It is why," she noted, "I accompany you, Hero of Time."

Link's smile vanished, and he nodded. "Yeah, I know. But for Din's sake, can we drop the portentous 'mystery guide' thing, please?" he gasped, shaking his hair out almost like a dog.

"Hey!" Navi objected, flying out of his hat. "Do you mind?"

Link mumbled an apology while Sheik cleared her throat and looked away. Ruto smiled fondly. They do work together well, she admitted to herself. Azure light started to glow above them, while energy formed around the remains of the nucleus, taking the shape of a heart. Ruto looked up and watched the Water Medallion descend, then vanish. Link and Sheik all but ignored it, but Ruto was glad she'd watched. Beautiful, she thought.

"Ruto, do you desire the heart-energy?" Sheik asked evenly.

Ruto shook her head. "I have my people to attend to," she said, looking at Sheik as if for the first time. Why do you do it? I know you care for him, but... She shrugged. Ruto, of course, wouldn't have hesitated to accompany Mikali if he were called to be a Hero, but Zelda... You're not like us, she thought, glancing at Link. You fight, but even at your most fierce, you are not a warrior by nature. She grinned. "Besides, I'm a Zora. We're already toughened by the pressures of the deep. You keep following our Hero here, you're going to need it."

Sheik nodded wearily and placed her hand in the heart. She gasped, and her wounds vanished. Then an orange field of energy appeared near Sheik, and both she and Link looked at it like a shark was swimming towards them. Ruto eyed the field warily. Someone in a cloak with a bird-motif rose from the gateway. "You have done well, thus far," he said.

"When we desire your opinion, Arbiter," Sheik said coldly, "we will ask it of you."

"Your greatest challenges yet lie ahead. The Phantom Shadow Beast is stronger than it has ever been." He may as well have been talking about the tides or the latest catch of fish. "The twin witches have learned much, and I misdoubt you will appreciate their plans for Nabooru."

Link stood instantly. "What are those two doing?" he demanded.

"I can tell you not. You know that, Hero of Time," this Arbiter said unconcernedly. "Kotake, however, has told me that I can tell you this much: they mean to find a Queen for their King."

"No," Link breathed, trembling. Ruto sympathized. Ew.

"If that is true," Sheik said coolly, "then Nabooru is unlikely the intended bride. That is too easy, too obvious."

"Easy?" Ruto chuckled. "I thought you knew Nabooru better than that." Sheik's expression flattened. Oops. You don't know 'Sheik' that well, dummy, she thought, feeling dense. "Besides, if Nabooru falls, so does the Gerudo resistance." Sheik sighed and nodded.

Meanwhile, the Arbiter shrugged, his cloak rippling. Ruto peered at him more closely, as did Link. There was something...familiar...about that. He slowly sank back into the portal. "Beware the Dark Drummer, Hero of Time. Even the Last Sheikah cannot hold him forever." With that, the Arbiter vanished.

"We go through there?" Ruto asked, pointing at the portal. Link and Sheik nodded as one, Navi bobbing in time with them. "Fine. Let's get this over with. I want to get back to my people." She strode without hesitation into the glowing circle.

"What -- Ruto!" Link blurted, following her quickly. Sheik sighed and trailed after them. Ruto grinned. All they really need is a swift kick in the --

DESERT.

The blazing sun beat down on her, winds dry enough to steal the tears from a woman's eyes blowing around the Zora princess. Sand scraped her body. Ruto gritted her teeth and endured. Zelda told me about this, but I never dreamed...never imagined...how could any place with life be so hot, so dry?!

"Ruto!" Link shouted behind her, and strong hands shoved a Goron tunic over her body. Immediately the pain and heat dimmed. "Of all the reckless--!"

"You would be familiar with such things," Sheik commented, voice dry as the wind, "would you not, Hero of Time?"

"Not now, Sheik," Link snapped. Then the ground shook.

There were two pillars towering over the great Spirit Temple, with some strange, barnacle-like annex jutting within their boundary to a massive wall, like a ruin of some greater time, but the protrusion was clearly much newer than the temple. As they watched, Ruto in amazement, the Hero and Sheikah with some resignation, a third pillar rose from the ground and the symbol of water formed at its zenith. The building grew like a living thing, the wall extending and new rooms taking shape. "By the gods," Ruto breathed, and immediately regretted it; her throat burned the instant she let her guard down.

"Okay, job's done, everybody hold on!" Link shouted over the wind, and both princesses grabbed his shoulders. He played the Serenade of Water. Such beauty, Ruto thought as a much more welcome energy swirled around them, and they were once again at Lake Hylia. This time, though, it was full, the ice of the Domain clearly having melted. Her people frolicked and exulted in the clear blue water.

"Ruto!" the most welcome voice she'd ever heard called. She looked up, and a slender, acrobatic frame she'd longed to see again waved to her.

"Mikali!" she cried back, ignoring her throat's objections, leaping into the water and darting to the young Zora lord.

"And my work here," Link said in relief, "is done." Ruto sent a prayer of thanks to the gods for the Hero and Sheikah as they vanished to the Prelude of Light, then let Mikali's lips do all the soothing she'd ever need.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Link felt the world return to normal around them, Light and Time returning them to the great Temple in Castle Town. "We should get you back to the palace," he said as evenly as he could manage. Even to his own ears, the Hero's voice sounded rough. "I imagine your father will have a few choice words for me."

"Unlikely," Sheik said, transforming back into Zelda with a gesture. She grinned at him. "He had his chance. Somehow, he couldn't find an eligible candidate capable of beating a thirteen year old princess."

Despite himself, Link smiled at that. I wish he had. He glanced over at her. I'm glad he didn't. The Hero shook his head rapidly. Farore! Where did that come from? He strode toward the door. "Let's go."

Zelda touched his arm. "Not yet." Link froze. "Link, what happened back there..."

"You needn't concern yourself with it," he said quietly. "I'll go back to Termina, trade this mask for the others. Some of them," he said, glancing at her, "have their own uses."

"Link, if you can get more tools to fight Ganondorf, great," she said, "but you don't have to give up Onigami. What happened between us -- that wasn't his fault. It was mine."

The Hero stared at her in astonishment. "I -- that -- Zel, how could you possibly take any blame for the Oni...the Fierce...for what he did?"

"Link..." she looked away. Link knew that look, from another Zelda, another time. "All the tragedy that has befallen Hyrule was my doing..." Why, Zelda? Why do you always blame yourself for what...other people do? He took a breath to speak, but had no words. "...Dark Zelda was right about something. I have been a coward."

At that, Link snorted. "Right. That was real cowardice, fighting your own Shadow. And saving me from Morpha? Yellow streak. Definitely."

Zelda chuckled, and Link's heart lightened for a moment. "I hate fighting," she admitted reluctantly, "but I'd rather face a whole army of Moblins than...sometimes..." she looked into his eyes. "Sometimes even I don't know what to say." He felt her pleading with him. "Do you understand?"

Those eyes... Link caressed her cheek. "It doesn't matter. No matter what happens, no matter what...changes...I am your Hero. I will always be here for you." He chuckled wryly. "Even if you're the one who has to bail me out sometimes."

"Link, I know we've been friends since the beginning..." Zelda held his wrist in her hands. "...but even then, I felt something...more."

Bongo Bongo's nothing. The whole world was drowned out by the sound of his heart, every beat an explosion. Her eyes seemed to swallow him up. Those eyes...

Those eyes own me.

"Zel..." he swallowed and looked away. "I...you don't know what I am."

Gently, she brought her hand around and guided his gaze back to hers. Her touch was silk soft, but her fingertips were more irresistible than Morpha's grip. "Yes I do," she said. Her voice never wavered. Her smile was assured, confident. "You need time. I understand that." The princess stroked his cheek. "I just want you to know...you're more to me than just my Hero. Nothing you could do will ever hurt me. Nothing." She sighed and stepped back, holding out her arm. "So, Hero of Time. Would you escort the princess back to her castle?"

Link nodded and took her arm. Back to normal, I guess, he thought, but the relief wasn't there. He knew it wasn't true.

#Tell her, you idiot!# Navi blurted finally, the tension exploding out of her.

#You know I can't do that, Navi,# Link replied. People stared as the pair entered Castle Town, the Hero passing through with the princess on his arm. Navi's exasperation echoed in his mind. #Even forgetting we're still a little young for this and leaving the princess part out of it, what can I give her? My life is blood and death. I won't do that to her. Not to Zelda.#

#Hello, Sheik?# Navi shot back.

#She follows me into the Temples. Maybe I can't stop that,# he retorted hotly, #but how much of the rest doesn't she see?# Navi went silent at that. #Nayru willing, she never will.#

Never.