The sky was cold. We fell back to the earth through the gathering chill of the atmosphere. A torrent of snow was already thickening in the air. I covered my eyes as the harsh flakes whipped against the tender skin of my cheeks. Shad ran through his yard to the safety of the house. I began to go after him, but I noticed that my companion was not following me.

I turned around and saw him standing like a threatening statue amidst the white snow. He was poised tall and straight with his fists clenched and jaw set in a firm line. Fierce Deity grimly glared into the heavens. Determination was rising in his heart like a roaring beast. All shame and regret aside, he was an angry god with a dominating will. His task was set. He was ready to conquer.

This was his burden to bear. I felt as far away from him as I ever had. I was separated from him. This aspect of his soul was untouchable by me. It belonged to Fierce Deity, and Fierce Deity alone. It was not just about saving Link's life anymore. Now it was something far greater than Hyrule or myself. Fierce Deity was to redeem himself and become Astraeus once more. The wandering, prodigal son was to return to his home. He was to remember who he was created to be. It was time to for freedom to reign over this chained soul.

"The storm is gathering." His voice was darker, deeper with a dangerous bite that made my skin shiver. Fierce Deity turned to me, his face stony and bleak. "Let us leave for your Castle. We shall not make it to the Manor before the storm overtakes us." He commanded sternly. I could not read his emotions; only feel a thick wall of stony willpower and resignation of his eventual fate.

Fierce Deity firmly took a hold of my arm and steered me back into the protective warmth of the house. Shad was pacing back and forth in the foyer when we entered. He was in a state of great agitation.

"This changes my entire life's work! My goodness, what a discovery!" He ran his fingers through his tousled sandy hair and shook his head in disbelief.

"All my theories, the years my father and I both spent on extensive research—gone! For naught! Everything we believed about the Oocca is wrong! If only my father could see this! He would eat his own hat!" Shad turned to us and threw his arms out in exasperation. "I will be more of a laughing stock than I already am once word gets out that I was actually wrong! This is quite preposterous! But on the other hand, I can redeem myself and stand on the verge of a new exciting breakthrough—" The animated ramblings of the scholar stopped as he took in our somber expressions.

"But I digress," he mumbled awkwardly. "This is not a time for celebration or deliberation." Shad lowered his hands and shoved them deep into the pockets of his trousers. "I suppose that there is much more to you than you're letting on," observed Shad delicately. "You and the Princess seem to be facing quite the obstacle, what with Link's life hanging in the balance and wanting to break the curse that is on your sister..."

Blue eyes searched the depths of pale pools of white and the two men studied one another silently. Fierce Deity and I had lost the energy to use words for now. Shad was not deterred by the lack of communication though.

"I wish you the very best success in your quest." Shad nodded politely at us. He widened his eyes and took in a deep breath. "Well go on you two! You've got work to do before that storm comes!"

Feeling numb from the weight of this morning, Fierce Deity and myself were ushered to the front door by Shad, who was trying his best to lift our spirits. I found myself somehow standing at the open door, staring blankly into the swirling snow outside. My eyes were tricking me. Helena's sad, lovely face kept appearing in the snow, the flakes forming themselves into her features. I could almost hear her voice painfully asking Fierce Deity why he had done so much wrong against her.

But in my waking life, there was a very real voice chatting into my hazy daydreams, pushing Helena's imaginary one out of my head. It was Shad, speaking to the Fierce Deity.

"My good man, someday will you return and fill me in on your enthralling history?"

I awakened from my daze and listened to Fierce Deity's response. The giant man inhaled a breath of air and exhaled it heavily.

"I will not promise you anything. We will see what the days before us bring."

My heart wrenched at the uncertainty in the voice of my companion. What would happen to Fierce Deity when Link was freed from the parasitic curse of the mask? Could his soul exist without the mask acting as its body? I delved inside our connection, looking the Fierce Deity's heart and I felt us sharing the same alarming concerns.

He did not know what would happen to him either. The visit with Helena had shaken him deeply, as much as it had invigorated him. The fallen god was more than ready to find a way to break his curse, but the unknown ending to this journey frightened even him. There was too much at stake. I rested my hand against my forehead and I felt dizzy. Fierce Deity's strong hand reached out, grasping my shoulder to steady me.

"We will take our leave, scholar. Thank you for aid," Fierce Deity said woodenly. No expression, no emotion, just words flatly spoken. I was turned around by strong hands and led out the door and back into the cold winter morning. The snow was angrier than before when we stepped back into the cold outdoors. I was nearly suffocated by the thickness of the flurries. The Fierce Deity wrapped his arms around my body and pulled me close to him.

"The storm is almost upon us!" He yelled over the whistling wind. "We must race the storm back to your Castle!" I tried to call back a response, but my small voice was drowned out by the deafening gale. Fierce Deity grabbed my waist and quickly placed me on the saddle of my mare. He mounted his barebacked stallion and away we went down the street, with the storm on our heels.

Our poor horses were bowing their heads against the wind as we struggled our way through the winding streets of Castle Town. The snow was blindingly thick; I could only see a black shape a few feet in front of me that I knew to be Fierce Deity's horse. How he knew his way to the Castle, I do not know. Perhaps it was Link's memories that were guiding him. I could not say for certain, but I knew that I could place my trust in him to take us back to safety.

Fierce Deity's broad body was breaking the flow of the wind as I rode behind him, making it less of a struggle for me to ride in the storm. I closed my eyes and let go of my reins. My mare would follow Fierce Deity's lead. I needed my arms to keep me warm. Violent shivers wracked my body. I had never been so cold in my life. Fierce Deity wore no coat, just a simple black cloak. How could he stand the freezing snow?

I opened my eyes again, but to my horror, I saw nothing but swirling white. My heart plummeted to my stomach. The black shape of Fierce Deity's horse was nowhere to be found. In a matter of a few seconds, he had vanished! I frantically looked around me but saw nothing save for white flakes filling the air. There were no buildings, nor was there a clear path. I was lost in my own city.

What if I accidentally walked through the gates and into the fields beyond, misguided by the storm and lost until a search party found me?

And they found me too late...

In a panic, I started to yell for the Fierce Deity as loudly as I could over the shrill whistle of the storm, hoping that he could somehow hear me. I could not even feel him near me. The storm and my fear was blinding our very connection.

An arm shot out of the swirling snow and grabbed my reins. Fierce Deity was beside me. His body materialized from the storm as he steered his horse next to mine. My fear of dying in the storm settled as he looked down at me with his stern face. My hand tightly clasped onto his wrist. I would not lose sight of him again. I needed to feel him, to touch him and know that I would be safe as long as we were together. This thought warmed my soul and I felt a little less cold.

We trudged along for what seemed to be days, until the great steps leading to the Castle courtyard loomed before us. The heavy gates did not swing open upon our arrival. The guards could not even see us through the thickening storm. Fierce Deity jumped from his horse and marched through the knee-deep snowdrifts. He leaned into the massive iron and wood panels, grunting with exertion as the door refused to give way to his touch.

"The gates are locked! Let me help," I cried over the screeching wind, jumping from my mare and running to his side. I placed my hands on the gates and closed my eyes, concentrating on the heavy iron bar that was just on the other side. Despite the distraction of the growing storm around me, I summoned a portion of my power. Slowly, the iron bar slid out of its restraints. Too slowly. The bar was so heavy, even in the grasp of my power. I pressed my forehead to the freezing wood, willing the bar to move faster.

"Zelda. Do not strain yourself." The Fierce Deity was by my side in an instant. I could feel his concern for me sweeping across our link. "Let me do this for you."

"Do not be silly." I argued with my voice breathless from effort. "I can do this."

The Fierce Deity dared not argue back. Instead, he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and silently let me finish my work. His hand was warm and heavy; I could feel a gentle heat wafting from his skin through my thick cloak.

It was rather distracting.

I did my best to shove aside those feelings that his touch were stirring inside of me and turned my focus back to the task at hand.

At last, I felt the iron slide all the way out of its restraints. The gates were unlocked. I stepped back and immediately, the Fierce Deity took my place. Without me saying a word, he knew that it was time for him to push open the door. Snowdrifts piled up at the threshold as he pushed one of the doors open with all of his might.

I followed behind with the reins of our horses in my hands. He pushed until there was just enough room for us and our beasts to slip through. The Fierce Deity turned to me and reached out his hand for mine.

"See. I did it." I called over the wind as I nodded to the iron bar that had been successfully pushed aside.

His face was a smirk as my hand found his. "I was a fool to doubt you." He teased in that gloriously deep voice of his, curling his fingers around mine.

"Yes. You were." I quipped back to him, but could say nothing more over the growing storm. I pulled myself into his side and he let go of my hand to protectively wrap his arm around me.

We slipped into the safety of the castle walls. I could not even see five feet beyond the open gates. The courtyard was hidden by the swirling snow. The Fierce Deity and I raced through the courtyard, keeping our path straight, for the door to the castle was dead ahead. We were almost to shelter.

The snow-covered hooves of our horses clomped up the stone steps. They seemed eager to get to shelter. I tied them to a post nearby and promised them that I would send somebody to attend to them as soon as possible. The Fierce Deity was already pushing open the doors and called my name, beckoning me to join him. There was a rush of warm air mingling with the winter wind and we tumbled inside the entrance with snow chasing our heels.

I heard a few gasps of surprise and then some startled servants descended upon me as soon as they recognized that it was their Princess under the thick, maroon cloak.

"Your Highness!" Gasped a fair-haired young woman dressed in servant's attire. She bowed low as she neared me, but her face was full of concern as she took in my soaking wet cloak and red cheeks. "We got word that you and your companion were in Castle Town and we feared that you had gotten lost in the storm."

"Thanks to my companion, we have made it home safely." I said, peeling off my cloak while another servant dashed over and took it out of my hands. "Would you go send somebody from the stables to attend to our horses. The poor things are still outside. And have them make haste!"

"Yes, of course, your Highness!" The woman said as she turned on her heel and hurried off in the direction of the stables.

"Will you find Lady Moira and tell her that I have returned safely?" I asked the red-haired man who was now holding my cloak. "I am certain that she is frantic. Please assure that all is well."

His brown eyes gave a nervous glance over to the Fierce Deity and I could see him contemplate whether or not to try and take his hat. Those white eyes glared at him and the man seemed to think the better of it. He bowed to me and then conceded to my request with a mumbled "yes, your Highness," before he disappeared into the depths of the castle to find Moira.

A few more servants were gathering around us. Word of our arrival was already spreading through the castle like wildfire. Even a few nobles were amongst the new arrivals, their curious faces trained on the towering giant beside me. There was no doubt in my mind that they had heard wild rumors about this strange and violent being that was often seen accompanying the Princess.

Rumors that were likely not far off from the truth.

Another servant came running up to me. This time, it was a page coming to me with a message. The young lad told me that a visitor had arrived for me earlier in the day, before the storm broke, and they were waiting for me in my parlor.

I asked who it was and the answer took me by surprise.

"Princess Midna, from the Twilight Realm, your Highness."

I did not waste another second. After wondering and wondering what happened to Midna and why it took her so long to return, she was finally back in Hyrule. The Fierce Deity felt some apprehension at her arrival. Their last encounter was filled with tension and anger and dismay. I could sense that he was expecting much of the same. Part of me thought that he hoped we could finish this journey to his liberation without her.

He was following me silently as we made our way to the parlor; the very same one I had met with Taran for the disastrous farce of a marriage proposal. I had not far to go before I was in front of a familiar door painted ornately in white and gold. It was ajar, so I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the Fierce Deity sulking behind me.

The warmth of the fireplace in the hearth greeted me like an old friend. I felt at home being in this quaint little room that I loved, but I had no time to rest or relax. There was a dark figure sitting on the elegant couch. A black and blue robe covered a cascade of fiery orange hair that framed a slim, pale face.

At our arrival, she slowly stood to her full height. "Do you think the snow is lovely now?" A jaunty tease was her greeting. "It is like death out there, Zelda."

"Midna!" I exclaimed with excitement as I rushed over to embrace her.

"I came here earlier in the day, but I was told that you were staying at a place called the Manor, but you were visiting the town for the morning. Everything was fine until the snow storm started. All chaos broke loose and everyone was worried for you." She explained as she returned my embrace, rather stiffly it seemed.

I pulled away from her and saw that those scarlet eyes were staring right at the Fierce Deity.

"I see you're still here," Midna spat, her expression trying to burn him to a crisp.

"For now," Fierce Deity growled, tightening his fists and clenching. The air of the room grew tense and I could feel him wanting to become hostile towards her.

"Please," I began with an exasperated sigh. "You two need to lay down arms. We have had to endure enough drama this week. Can we all be civil with one another? Bickering and spite will not bring about anything constructive."

There was a tense moment where neither one of them said a word. Scarlet held a fierce gaze with pure white. I could tell that he was not pleased with her; that his volatile nature was being stirred by her antagonizing. He wanted a fight just as much as she did. But after a few more seconds, I heard him give a huffy sigh. The tension brewing inside of him burst.

He relented.

"Fine." His voice growled over the tiny room. "I will do this for you, Zelda."

Midna was a tad smug that she was not the one who had to relent first. A little smile tugged at her lips as she plopped down on the couch. Yet, her smugness faded as I slid in next to her. Fierce Deity stood as usual, never taking a moment to sit down and instead towering over us, scowling down at the couch like a disgruntled statue.

"Well, what sort of drama have you been dealing with? The servant who led me to this room kept going on about a giant man who ripped the library to shreds and almost killed an ambassador. What is that all about?" Midna asked. "Though I think I can guess as to who is behind all of that…" She added, cutting her scarlet irises knowingly to the Fierce Deity.

He made the mistake of replying.

"I was the man who did those things," the Fierce Deity tried to say, but Midna's tongue cut into his words.

"Again, why are you still here?" Midna spat with a roll of her eyes. "Link should be here. Not you." I could sense the sorrow hidden behind her ire. My heart wrenched for both Midna and Link. What a terrible fate to face.

At the same time, my face was growing hot from the seething emotions rushing through the link to the Fierce Deity. He could hardly keep his anger at bay. I could sense it boiling up inside of him but by sheer force of will, he managed to keep his temper contained.

I quickly stepped in before either of them could exchange harsh words. The both of them stayed stony and silent while I relayed to Midna everything that happened to us over the past week. I gave her a quick synopsis of Fierce Deity's past, to which she only grew more sour. Then I explained to her that he was under a curse that forced him to exist as a mask, and that the only way to free him was to break the curse.

A hot argument broke out when Midna accused Fierce Deity of holding Link's life hostage and using the promise of breaking the curse as his ransom price. I once again had to step in and bring peace between Midna and Fierce Deity, though I could not help but secretly agree that she might be justified in what she said.

The subject of Taran and his mysterious connection with the Ikana and Majora was next. When I told her of how he forced me into an engagement and cursed my entire council, her nose wrinkled with disgust. Midna had heard me complain about the man before, so she was not too terribly surprised to hear that he was a sorcerer who used his dark magic to gain power.

"From what you have told me, I knew that man was trouble. I wish that I had been here to help get rid of him. I wouldn't have let him get away so easily." Midna remarked. The Fierce Deity just growled in annoyance.

I relayed the story of Helena and the Ooca to Midna. The Twilight girl was flabbergasted to learn that those unusual creatures were also cursed remnants of an age long fallen into ruin.

And with that, the story of our strange week was complete.

"So, what options are left for us now?" Midna wanted to know. "How do you intend on breaking that curse, setting Link free, and defeating this Ikana?"

"That all depends on our journey to Termina." The Fierce Deity answered. Midna just glowered at him before looking to me for what she supposed was the correct answer. But I could only gape at her helplessly before looking over at the sulking giant.

"You still believe that we should go to Termina, but how?" I lamented with my heart sinking. "This storm will take our lives if we try to venture into it."

"If it were an ordinary storm, perhaps that would be our fate," he answered. "However, this storm is the work of something unnatural." Fierce Deity walked away from the couch to stand in front of the window, watching the howling wind whip the snow into a frenzy.

"This storm is the work of Ikana." He muttered darkly.

"Do you believe that Taran is the one who is making this storm? Why?" I got off the couch and walked over to where the Fierce Deity was. Midna watched me go but said nothing and did not follow me.

"He is delaying us." He stared out the window, a brooding grimace plastered on his face. "He does not want us to pursue him into Termina, the coward. I do not think he knows that I possess another man's body, but I can feel that he fears me. Any servant of Majora should fear me."

"What shall we do then?"

"We shall go to Termina." He sounded almost matter of fact, as if I had just asked if snow was cold or rain was wet.

"In this storm? Are you sure? You saw how easily I became separated from you, and we were in the relative safety of the city! And the cold wind and the snow… we would be overwhelmed in seconds. How can you say that we shall go to Termina? There must be another way."

Behind me, Midna suddenly came to life.

"Why are you resisting?" She cried out. I whirled around to face her and try to calm her down, but she was seething when her red eyes met mine. "Don't you want to save Link? Don't you want to defeat the man who cursed your council and almost tried to curse you? Zelda, why must you always be so weak?"

"Midna!"

"Enough."

The Fierce Deity turned away from the window and slowly walked to stand in front of me. His hands warmly placed themselves on my shoulders.

"I am stronger than the Ikana," he said in a reassuring voice. "You do not know the extent of my power, but if you trust me, you will see. Do you trust me?"

I was a fool. Not five days ago he had said that it would be wise to never trust him, but so many things had changed between us since then.

"Yes. I trust you." I told him, despite Midna sending daggers my way.

"Very well." He dropped his hand from my shoulder and turned to Midna. "Tomorrow, we shall leave."

"Finally. Something that you and I can agree on." Midna hissed as she flew to her feet and stormed to the door. I did not miss the moisture that glimmered in her eyes as she left us behind, closing the door with a resounding slam.

I had left the parlor in search of Midna, finding her in the room that she normally occupied when visiting me, but she was not in the mood or visitors; least of all visitors that included myself and a certain white-haired immortal.

Her denial of my company was understandable, though it left me feeling dejected. Taking the chance to spend a rare second to myself, I decided not to go back to the Fierce Deity just yet. This week had been arduous and full of unexpected twists and turns. There was not a moment of peace to be had. And now that it seemed a trip to Termina was in my fate, I thought that it was best to spend some time with just myself to restore my weary mind and soul.

I headed down to the lower levels of the castle. The maids cooked me a small dinner and I ate it at the enormous stone hearth in the warm in the kitchen. The link between us was still alive and I could sense his slight disappointment in my lack of company.

Now, as I crept back into my room, I found that I was not alone any longer. My companion was waiting for me when I got back to my room later that night. The room was drenched in soft candlelight, casting him in a cozy glow as he perched himself on the wide windowsill of the bay windows. The view would have been that of the courtyard, but the snowstorm was still raging even into the night.

"Zelda…" He murmured my name when he saw me enter. I could see his armor and sword in a pile on the floor. Even his boots and hats were tossed carelessly at the foot of the bed. White hair fell around his face as he gazed at me intently. The front of his shirt fluttered open a bit and I could see the pale skin of the top of his chest.

Of course, I was thankful for the dim light to hide my blush but I was hopeless to guard myself in our connection. He looked so comfortable and relaxed in his breeches and shirt. I too, wanted to shed my formal attire and let my hair down before I joined him.

"I will be back in a moment." I replied, my voice just as soft as his. Silence chased my words, but his intent gaze remained, a sense of eagerness for my return wafting in the link. I disappeared to my inner chamber to cast off my gown and other royal garments.

I changed into a white sleeping shift and then put on a thick, woolen maroon robe. Once my hair was freed of all its confining adornments, I stepped back into the main chamber. The Fierce Deity was still awaiting me.

"There are so few people who I allow to see me in such a state." I remarked with a laugh as I settled opposite of him on the cushions of the window seat.

"I am grateful that you have chosen me as one of the few." The Fierce Deity teased lightly, his lips breaking out into a slight grin "You have let your guard down around me."

The snow flurries outside struck with glass window with a vengeance, but the icy storm could not touch us in this warm atmosphere that settled over the room.

"So have you." I countered softly, gazing at him. I hated to admit how much I adored the way he looked when he was not so fierce and imposing but rather comfortable and relaxed. He was an entirely different being altogether when he was free of his gruff disposition and fearsome armor.

And somehow, that look on his face grew even softer. Our Triforce connection grew enticingly warm.

"I cannot help it. You have drawn me to you in a way that I have never been drawn to anyone before. You are…" He leaned forward on the cushions, bringing himself close to me. I watched as his hands reached for my face. Warm fingers cupped my cheeks, tangling into the hair at my temples. With a gentleness that was surprising from one so big, the Fierce Deity pulled me towards him.

"You are my guiding light in the darkness," he told me as he stroked his thumb lovingly against my skin. "I do not deserve all you have sacrificed for me. No matter what happens at the end of our journey, I will forever be grateful to you."

I was melting into the way he held me. My head was spinning like a top and I felt dizzy from the rush of feelings that he was allowing to flow over me. There was so little space between us...

"I will do everything that I can to help you. I cannot…" I took in a shuddering breath. "I cannot lose you."

My confession hung heavy in the air. At first, the Fierce Deity did not react. His face went as blank as his white eyes as he tried to process what I had just uttered. Even his grip on my face grew weak, in danger of falling away completely. Even his emotions were oddly blank.

Then in seconds, a change took place. His mouth fell open and his white eyes widened. Shock and awe that did not belong to me flooded my senses.

He was astounded. Exactly why, I could not say. As if sensing my confusion—which he could, through our link—his gaping mouth finally trembled.

"I did not ever believe that anyone could care for me enough to not want to lose me. Not even my own sister… even she turned from me." The Fierce Deity stammered, sliding his hands firmly onto my face once more. This time, he held me with a desperation. "I… I do not deserve your affection…"

"But I want to give it to you…"

I scooted closer to him, compelled to come closer. I reached out with trembling hands to place the in the front of his shirt. The warmth of his body seeped in through the thin fabric and into my skin.

"Zelda…"

I could feel more than hear him speak my name as his lips brushed against mine.

My eyes fell closed as the spell of his nearness consumed me. For the first time, I did not try to fight away the feelings I had for him. I let myself fall into his warmth and his touch. He felt me concede and a boldness grew within him. He threw caution to the wind, acting on a desire that he allowed to flow across the link.

That scant breath of air between us disappeared as he leaned in to finally close that gap. His mouth fell heavily on my lips.

I was certain that my heart had ceased to beat. A warm tingling spread over my limbs as his lips—so achingly soft—melded smoothly with mine.

His kiss lingered there for a moment of suspension before they started to move in a careful rhythm. I followed his lead, completely unsure of what I was doing but eager to learn.

His hand slid from my face and tangled into my hair. He grasped the back of my head while his other hand went searching for my waist. In a swift, strong tug, he pulled me into him. My hands braced me as I fell into his chest.

I did my best to mimic the way his lips moved gently, sensually, over mine. A heat that I had never felt before mingled with that tingling this kiss was igniting. His movements were tender and sweet, with the promise of so much more hidden just beneath. There was a gentle sigh that filled the air and I realized that it had come from me.

The kiss went on and on, staying chaste but with that underlying heat simmering just below the surface. We savored each other for a long while until finally, we broke apart, coming up for much needed air. The Fierce Deity pulled away just far enough to where we could speak, but his lips were not far. He could capture me with his kiss once more if he so wished.

"I have been wanting to do that for… a long time…" he whispered warmly, his mood growing pensive and thoughtful.

"I could say the same…" I admitted breathlessly.

"What now?" He smiled at me.

I could sense what he was asking in his question; what of us? What of the kiss? What of this connection between us? What of the feelings that we were both acting on, far too slow and far too fast all at once?

But a bashfulness swept over me, arresting my words. This was territory that I had never crossed into before. Love and romance were far from my mind whilst being a young ruler, though my thoughts had turned increasingly to the idea as of late. Moira had been dropping heavy handed hints the last year or so about finding a match for me. Even then, I would scoff at her suggestion while secretly wishing for what Link and Midna had.

But now, everything that I wanted was just dropped into my lap. And I had no clue how to proceed. Nerves overtook me. He would be able to sense that, no doubt.

"We should try to get some rest." I suggested sheepishly.

"That is not quite the answer I was looking for," he countered with a playful smirk but he pressed no further. All I could sense from him was gentle amusement at my shyness.

"We must." I argued in good nature, his demeanor setting me at ease. "We have lots of work to do in the coming days."

"Of course…" He hummed in agreement but still had trouble actually letting me go.

"I am being serious." I chided him as I hesitantly slid out of his grip, standing up from the window seat. I did not want to leave him any more than he wanted me to stand up.

But I was a bundle of nerves. I needed some time to process that whatever I was feeling for him, he was feeling the same. This was all so incredible and frightening. My head was spinning for all sorts of reasons as he followed my lead, standing to his full, towering height.

"Can I stay with you again?" His question was softly spoken, though I could sense his hesitation to ask because of my wild nerves.

As flustered as I was, I could not deny that I enjoyed having him close to me while I slept. I glanced over at the bed and the thought of being there alone was suddenly quite unacceptable.

"Yes. Of course."

He placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me over to the bed. A brocaded canopy stretched over us as we settled into the mess of crimson blankets and sheets. Those strong arms wrapped carefully around my small frame. The chill of the air threatened to creep into our cozy nest we made.

"I should have a maid light a fire for us."

"There is no need." His deep voice rumbled from within his chest. "I will keep you warm tonight."

Already, his body warmth was melting away the cold air. "I think I would prefer that." I hummed, nestling against him.

He sighed contentedly in agreement, holding me closer to him. With the comforting weight of his arms around me, I succumbed to a quick and deep slumber.

At first my dreams were quiet. They were nothing more than simple nonsense that could not be strung together to form any semblance of plot. Then they slowly changed into scenes more complex. My mind began to form dreams of warped, random images from the day before.

I saw Shad flying around the City in the Sky with wings like an Oocca, chasing around a half-transformed Helena. The increasingly perturbed woman kept insisting that she did not want to become Shad's wife.

Fierce Deity and I were standing on the Sky Canon, watching the scene unfold. He kept shaking his head and saying that he should never have left Helena alone, otherwise Shad would not be so adamant in his desires.

Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. I looked down and spotted Midna skulking around the base of the Canon. She ignored me when I called out to her. I jumped off the Canon, not even saying goodbye to the Fierce Deity as I left him behind, and I went to go say hello. Midna caught sight of me dashing towards her and she ran away like a startled deer. Annoyed, I took chase and went after her.

I followed her mane of orange hair, never catching pace. The scenery around us changed until everything was a bleary blur. Soon, we were running into nothingness. All around me grew darker and darker until I could only see blackness. But I was not afraid. A part of me believed that Midna had led me there for a reason.

Suddenly, moonlight shone from tall windows and I found myself standing in the portrait hallway. Just as I had before in a dream about this place, I walked right over to my namesake's portrait. The Zelda of ages past looked down on me with somber ocean blue eyes. My hands felt heavy and I looked down to see that "Tales of Termina" was resting in my palms.

I tried to give the book back to her, my subconscious remembering what happened last time I opened those pages during a dream. Zelda shook her head at me and crossed her arms, silently insisting that I take the book and open it up.

I was apprehensive but I obeyed. Something told me that whatever she was trying to say, it was important. My throat thickened with nerves as my fingers peeled back the edges of the yellowing pages. The book fell open to the missing pages of the story "The Two Dancing Giants." I expected to see pictures of the terrible Majora's Mask to come flying out of the book again, but I saw something different.

Majora's mask was there, but so was the Fierce Deity's Mask. The vacuous black eyes stared up at me angrily. I flipped the page and to my surprise, a fully formed Majora and Fierce Deity were there, their forms scrawled on the pages. As I stared in wonder, the images came to life. The tiny figures were locked in a fierce battle with another, dueling to the death. As I watched, a sense of dread crept over me. I hastily slammed the book shut, too scared to see the outcome of the battle.

I did not want to witness the moment that Asclepius would come and curse them.

I did not want to see what would eventually become the Fierce Deity's eternal punishment.

This book kept haunting my dreams. For what reason? I looked up to Zelda's portrait to ask her, but she was not there anymore.

Zelda was standing right in front of me!

I jumped back in shock. How had she escaped the confines of her portrait? Zelda held out her hands to steady me, but I was just out of her reach. Her gloved fingers grasped nothing but air. I tried to speak to her and ask her how she had gotten out of her frame, but my words would not form. They stuck in my dry throat. My lips struggled to move. It was as if some force was keeping me from communicating with my ancestor.

Zelda seemed to understand my muted state of shock. She gave me a sad smile and a shake of her head before turning around and walking back to her portrait. She stared at it for a second, then turned around and gestured for me to follow her.

I obeyed, curious but still rather nervous. In all my dreams, I had never before interacted so vividly with the Zelda of my past. When I was beside her, Zelda put her dainty gloved hands against the ornate, golden frame of the portrait and she pushed gently. The frame swung aside easily, like a gate on a hinge. I gasped, wondering if I had just discovered something amazing. I thought that there was a secret passageway behind the picture, but there was nothing save for a plain stone wall.

Yet, I was not to be disappointed. Zelda wrapped her fingers around my wrist and with her free hand she started pointing excitedly at a stone that was colored differently than the others around it. I did not know what she was trying to say. Exasperated, Zelda let go of my wrist and with both hands, she pried the stone from the wall.

The stone fell to the floor with a soundless thud. A black hole gaped open like a yawning mouth where the brick once was. Zelda grazed her fingers at the dusty edges of the opening. Slowly, she glanced at my over her shoulder locked her blue eyes with mine.

She wanted me to put my hand in there. Something I needed was in that tiny, dark opening.

Apprehensive and excited, I raised my hand and guided my trembling fingers to the mouth of the hole. Zelda leaned in close. She was excited too.

The shadow of the space barely darkened my fingers before a loud slam interrupted my dream.

In an instant the scene was gone and I was awake, back in my bed with the pale light of dawn streaming in through the windows.

And in my hazy state of awakening, I heard a sassy voice call out from the beyond.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

AN - thank you to all who have followed and faved and reviewed the story! For those of you who read the original version, you might notice that this chapter is QUITE different. This one had always been my least favorite chapter and I was sort of putting off editing it because I knew it would need a massive overhaul. And not only did it get a massive overhaul (nearly a complete rewrite) but the changes I made caused the chapter to be so long, that I had to split it in to two. So as a treat to my readers, old and new, there will be a never before seen chapter debuting soon! Thanks again for reading! Love you all