Chapter 10 – A Man and His Shadow

Zelda was certain that her heart had ceased beating as it abandoned her chest and plummeted to her feet. Yet although it was gone, she could still hear its echo reverberate violently in her ears, drowning out all noise as time ceased ticking. Horror rushed through her veins like impetuous rapids as the blood drained from her face, leaving a burning, lightheaded sensation in its wake. The sight before her eyes had hurled her unprepared into this state, this vision that she had never seriously considered possible. But there Link's body lay with a sword thrust into his shoulder, the gash emitting streams of blood that stained his tunic. His features, once youthful and vibrant, were now begrimed as they contorted in an expression of excruciating pain. While he released no cry, his torment was entirely evident by the tears that flowed from his eyes. The image of the man she loved so dearly suffering such torture was wholly unbearable; yet regardless of how she essayed, she could not tear her eyes from the harrowing scene. The world had been reduced to slow motion to offer her an exceedingly long and agonizing view, allowing her to witness every gruesome detail. A painful sensation besieged her own body as she watched the life of Link – her lover, her hero, her friend – slowly bleed out of him. The brokenhearted princess was unaware of how many times she screamed Link's name, or of how Navi joined in her chorus as she was swatted away from her master by the Stalfos.

Zelda did not initially discern Stallord in this grueling freeze-frame, her gaze fixated solely on the hero's blood-soaked body. When she did finally notice him, however, her blood immediately began to boil at the sight of his sadistic smile. The shock and the grief that racked her body were suddenly usurped by a much more powerful god – rage. Fury pumped rapidly through her veins, igniting her from within as it flowed, awakening her frozen heart with a burning kiss. An enraged fire blazed in her crimson eyes as she beheld the abominable villain that had stabbed her love, her Sheikah glare reaching a new level of ferocity. Suddenly time resumed its usual course, prompting the incensed warrior to spring into action. As her racing adrenaline bolstered her strength, she hurled a throwing knife into the heart of the final Wolfos, giving no thought as it yelped and collapsed to the ground. With the last of Stallord's troops slain, the vengeful princess could now focus on the captain without any distractions.

Allowing rage full control over her faculties, Zelda spurted towards Stallord like a lightning bolt and rammed herself into his skeletal frame, sinking her needles into his bones. The Stalfos found himself entirely unprepared for the brutal assault, releasing a startled shout as he struggled beneath the rabid Sheikah. Zelda held him pinned to the ground beneath her, ruthlessly slashing and stabbing with every weapon she possessed. With his sword still in the hero's body and his shield knocked from his grip, the monster lay completely defenseless save his jagged, decaying teeth. As Zelda chipped away at his skull with her dagger he latched onto her wrist, sinking his teeth deep into her flesh. Releasing a yelp, the warrior was jostled from her position, allowing Stallord the leverage to reverse their situations.

Although intoxicated with rage, Zelda could still experience pain quite acutely as Stallord clawed at her face and neck with his long bony fingers, leaving bright crimson gashes on her dirt-smudged skin. Violently she struggled against his hold as he attempted to strangle her, thrashing her limbs as she tried to reach another knife concealed within her bandages. The Stalfos' unearthly red orbs, protruding from his partially shattered skull, bore eerily into her eyes as he retained his position firmly to prevent her escape. As he ran one sharp finger down her cheek, leaving a crimson line in its wake, his bloody teeth curved into a cruel smirk. "Do not fret, Sheikah, you shall soon join your beloved hero," he whispered, his voice both eloquent and venomous.

As Stallord grinned sickeningly at the disguised princess, immensely satisfied with his victory over the Hero of Time, Zelda's blood was infused with a large dose of adrenaline as violent fury bubbled within. While the Stalfos was still in the middle of his triumphant smirk, she utilized her Sheikah-trained speed and amplified strength to force the skeleton off her body, releasing a vengeful cry as she sprang onto him like a savage feline.

The last sight Stallord beheld was the Sheikah's incensed crimson eyes before she stabbed out his glowing red orbs with her dagger. Her hands now moved too rapidly to hinder as she ferociously knifed his skull, rending him to pieces. It appeared that the illustrious Stalfos captain would not be returning to a promotion from his king after all.

Stallord's skull was almost completely pulverized by the time his limbs ceased thrashing, signaling his passing at last. Now that her foe had been vanquished, Zelda's invigorating rage began slowing fading away, leaving her panting as she knelt in a field of bones, sweat and blood flowing mingled down her forehead. Holding a bone fragment in her wounded hand, the exiled princess contemplated her wild ferocity in shock. Although she was a formidable warrior who had slain many dark beasts, she could not recall a time when her veins had overflown with such abhorrence towards her opponent. Only one other time in her life had she experienced such pure loathing, when Ganondorf had callously stabbed her father through the heart before her young eyes.

It took only a few moments for the shock to wear off before Zelda remembered the urgency of the current situation. Instantly she leapt from the dirt and raced to Link's side, falling to her knees beside the marred body. Experiencing a great tightening in her chest, the princess' heart shattered as she gazed upon his pallid face resting peacefully, no long contorted in agony. As an overwhelming dread assaulted her mind, she laid her hands upon him and started to shake his frame, desperately repeating his name. There was no response from the lifeless body, however, causing Zelda's stomach to churn with terrible anguish. As tears began to form in her scarlet eyes, she bit her lip and staunchly shook her head, refusing to believe what was laid before her. "Link," she breathed, saltwater falling on her lips. "No, Link, you can't be…" After ripping the unraveling bandages from her right hand, she placed two fingers to his neck, searching frantically for a pulse. However, the only thing she found racing was her mind as her greatest fears played out too vividly before her eyes. Her sorrow at breaking Link's heart was nothing compared to the anguish that now racked her body, crushing her heart and suffocating her spirit. But no – she must not succumb, for the Hero of Time simply could not be dead! He had defeated enemies of far greater strength and had endured too much to come to such an untimely end. The goddesses had ordained him to save Hyrule; how could they allow him to perish when he had not completed his quest? Was the future truly so bleak and Hyrule forever damned?

Prodding his neck in desperate search for a pulse, Zelda nearly choked on a sob as her gaze returned to his lifeless face, so cold and ashen under the kiss of death. As she leaned over Link's bloodstained body, a few tears fell upon his white skin and crimson tunic. Again she shook her head in denial and refused to succumb to the sorrow and regret that viciously pounded on the door of her mind, knowing if she surrendered then the world would crumble down around her and her heart would be shattered beyond repair. "No, Link, you can't give up!" she cried, her voice quivering. "Hyrule still needs you!" Her tearful eyes became touched with melancholy tenderness as her gaze remained fixed on his face. "I need you," she found herself admitting in a broken whisper.

Zelda's mind was on the verge of overflowing with heartrending guilt that blamed her for Link's demise – if she had only disregarded Impa and accompanied him! – when she sensed a faint flutter beneath her fingertips. Her breath hitched in her throat as she pressed more firmly against his neck, seeking confirmation that it was not a dream. Again she felt it pulsate very weakly under her touch. As immense relief filled her breast, she wiped away the tears that clouded her vision and willed her emotion-plagued mind to focus. The princess knew she must remain composed as Impa had always instructed, but how could she be so detached when Link was drifting between this world and the next, and her actions would determine in which realm he would permanently reside? While she tenaciously banished her tears, she was incapable of subduing the pervasive ache in her chest as her deep Love bemoaned its object's fate. Still she attempted to ignore the heartbreak of seeing the Hero of Time – who in truth was just an innocent boy from the forest – reduced to such a state.

Sitting up on her knees, Zelda quickly surveyed Link's body and the forest around her before determining the necessary actions. Wasting not another precious moment on premature mourning, she leapt to her feet and began the burdensome task of removing the giant moblin corpse from the hero's lower body. While the moblin was considerably heavy, the Sheikah-trained princess' desperation afforded her the strength to perform the job rapidly, rolling the putrid body to the side. While she was certain Link's legs were bruised under his disheveled tights, there appeared to be no critical damage caused by the monstrous beast's weight. Instantly she returned to Link's side and tenderly slid her hands under his arms, taking care not aggravate the wound that had fortunately ceased bleeding. After gingerly propping up his limp body into a seated position, Zelda paused to scan the area for a proper refuge. While another monster ambush was unlikely, an encounter with a wild forest creature was still a possibility, convincing the princess that she needed to treat Link's wounds elsewhere. As her gaze fell to a large blackberry bush she selected her destination, slowly arising from her crouched position with a firm grip on Link's body. After a deep inhalation to muster strength, Zelda began dragging the lifeless body of her hero across the forest floor, heart pounding with grief and anxiety.

This little patch of the forest, bordered by a glistening stream and a plethora of pines, was now bathed in the blood of war. A battle of the Hyrulean Civil War, albeit small, had been fought upon its verdant grounds, leaving the inevitable blight in its wake. Sunlight no longer permeated the leafy canopy as Nature wept over the devastation, mourning everything from the trampled shrubs to the scorched grass. The earth was dyed crimson under the assortment of fresh carcasses that littered the path, patiently waiting to be devoured by maggots. While the sounds of battle had finally ceased, neither bird nor animal returned to the area, rendering the spot eerily silent.

Beads of sweat began to form on Zelda's grimy forehead as she transported Link, dragging the unconscious hero through dirt, leaves, pine needles, pools of blood, and the occasional limb. The required time and effort of the task was enhanced by the winding route she was forced to follow to avoid the corpses that obstructed her path. As she hauled Link past the severed Lizalfos tail, further sullying his irreparable tunic with blood, the Hylian's limp head fell back and the tip of his hat began to drag on the ground. A chill crept up Zelda's spine, feeling as if his eyes were somehow staring at her from behind his closed lids. Shaking it off with a sigh, she continued her trek, a woeful crow cawing somewhere far off in the distance.

When they finally arrived at their destination, Link's condition appeared considerably worse than before. His skin glowed an eerie white under the dirt and mud, and the leaves that littered his hair and attire rendered him absolutely bedraggled. Fearing that precious few moments remained, Zelda gently but hastily propped his body up against a sturdy pine. After unburdening herself of her traveling sack and Link's shield, she kneeled before him to examine the wound. Fortunately the bleeding had ceased, leaving behind a sleek dark substance that covered the incision up to the hilt of the blade. Producing her dagger, she started cutting away his tunic and undershirt to gain a better view of the damage. With the layers of cloth removed, the precarious placement of the wound was revealed, for it lay dangerously close to his heart; any lower and the hero would have already perished. The princess' own heart throbbed in pain as she suddenly observed the purplish tint of his skin. While this discoloration could have been caused by bruises, there was also a great risk of infection, necessitating the immediate removal of the sword from his flesh.

As Zelda grasped the hilt of the sword her eyes strayed to Link's pallid visage, offering a quick prayer to the goddesses for his survival. Then, after an empowering inhalation, she pulled the sword from his body and tossed it aside, trying her best to ignore the painful sound it produced. Immediately the fountain of blood resumed its flow with greater rapidity, bright ruby hues mingling with the dark ones as it streamed down his bare chest. It was very fortunate that the hero was unconscious, for the procedure would have undoubtedly caused considerable agony. To end the dangerously rapid blood loss Zelda hastily tore off her veil, wadded it up, and pressed it to the gash, disregarding in her desperation that her face was now visible.

As the rumpled veil began turning crimson, Zelda took to procuring bandages, unfastening the ones on her left arm with her teeth as her right hand continued pressing the veil to the incision. It was not a simple task by any means, for the strips of fabric were tied in many knots to secure weapons, but because her bandages had become loose in the brawl she was able to remove them in a short amount of time. Returning her eyes to the injury, Zelda was pleased to find that the veil was not completely soaked, removing it briefly to examine the deep cut. While it shone a bright crimson, the bleeding seemed to have diminished, bringing great encouragement to the anxious princess. Even though the wound didn't seem nearly as serious as she initially thought, it was extremely fortunate that her enchanted lyre had allowed her to arrive in time to aid the hero, and ultimately prevent Stallord from finishing the job.

Her encouragement became slightly dampened, however, when Zelda realized that she possessed no alcohol to disinfect the wound. She doubted that water from the nearby stream would sufficiently dispel any infection, yet without disinfectant his wound could prove ultimately fatal. As anxiety began to seep from her mind, whispering of the futility of her endeavors, a blue streak of light suddenly whizzed past her.

"Link?"

Zelda raised her eyes to meet the heartrending gaze of Navi as she hovered slowly in the air. Her tiny face, barely visible in the blue light that enveloped her body, radiated deep concern for her companion, fearing that his soul was no longer with them.

"Will he be all right?" Navi breathed weakly, both desperate and dreading to receive an answer. She had been rendered utterly hysterical when the blade had entered Link's body, flying dangerously close to the Stalfos who swatted her effortlessly to the side, unfazed by her incensed attempts at striking him. The following events had been a colossal blur to the fairy, only regaining her senses recently as she searched for her friend, some residual dizziness still effecting her flight. Her current state of shock fortunately caused her to overlook the Sheikah's unmasked face.

As Zelda's gaze fell back upon Link's lifeless face, detesting how terribly he wore the mask of death, she was only able to mutter a faint "I hope," lest she succumb to great mourning. As she returned to the care of his wound, dabbing off the fresh blood with her veil, a sudden idea struck her. As her heartrate accelerated, her previous disheartenment was expelled by a pervasive hope. "Navi, there's small Fairy Fountain just up north from here!" she exclaimed, her excitement ousting her formal vocabulary. "The water has healing properties to disinfect the gash! Please, will you go and fetch some?"

Navi, having felt utterly useless during the battle because of her miniscule size, eagerly seized the opportunity to aid her companion. "Of course!" she replied readily, the speed of her wings increasing. After casting one last sorrowful glance at Link's bloodied body, her gaze turned resolute as it fell upon Sheik. "I'll be back shortly," she promised. Once she had received a grateful nod and a small fairy-sized vial from the Sheikah, she darted off in the direction of the Fairy Fountain.

Zelda's gaze followed the sprightly blue blur until it disappeared among the tall pines. As she refocused her attention on the gaping gash, dismally considering how while it was Link's first serious wound, it would certainly not be his last, she noticed that fresh blood was continuing to color the veil. While the cloth required constant force to sufficiently stop the bleeding, Zelda needed to administer Link a potion before he woke up in great pain. Thus she decided to dress the wound without disinfecting, figuring that it would already require rebandaging by the time Navi returned with the Fairy Fountain water.

Turning to the pile of bandages she had removed from her arm, Zelda selected the longest one and started working. Draping the veil off his shoulder to cover the wound, she began securing it into place with the bindings, sliding them under his arm and wrapping them around his shoulder. His unconscious state allowed her to work much faster than if he had been awake, for she did not need to worry about agitating the painful gash.

As she continued to dress his wound, Zelda continued assuring herself that Link would wake to find himself all bandaged up, for he certainly would wake – she could not allow herself to believe otherwise. She had witnessed the great strength and unyielding spirit he possessed; she knew he could survive this wound, for the sword had struck no vital organs, only causing substantial blood loss that fairies and potions were certainly capable of remedying. Yet through all these heartening thoughts, the mournful ache in her chest persisted. What if the blood loss was too excessive to be cured by potions, causing his organs to fail and his body to shut down? What if Navi did not return in time to prevent an infection and a virus invaded his body, the hero lingering long enough to experience a slow and agonizing death? What if he never woke up, ascending to the Afterlife with the final memory of a cruel lover and a broken heart, never to discover her true identity? What if she was forced to endure a lifetime of regret with his blood on her hands and the words of her heart still on her lips, never to be spoken? Oh, if only she had one more minute to open her heart to him!

No. Biting her lip, Zelda inwardly cursed herself for falling prey to the maddening cycle of possibilities. If she was going to spend the rest of her exile as Link's shadow, regardless of how closely she followed, she would need to grow accustomed to the heartrending sight of an injured hero. Her past experiences with tending his wounds had never proved so emotionally trying, however, for the hero had always been conscious to joke her doubts away. His mood was nearly always cheerful, no matter how many bruises, scratches, and burns covered his body. Yet this gash, coupled with Link's deathlike pallor and tattered, bloodstained attire, appeared far more serious than previous wounds. But how could she properly care for his injuries when such strong emotions plagued her faculties? Dispelling her panic with another dogged shake of the head, the princess summoned the Sheikah resolve that had allowed her to make it this far without breaking down.

Tying the frayed tips of the bandages in a final knot, Zelda inspected the bindings to ensure their security before reaching for her traveling sack. After wading through daggers, salve, her lyre, and other assorted paraphernalia, she grabbed one of the red potions intended for the Zoras, the amphibious folk's plight momentarily forgotten. Hastily pulling the cork from the bottle, Zelda ignored the liquid that splashed onto her gnawed wrist, the countless cuts stinging. Greatly hoping that the generic potion would alleviate Link's pain and return him to consciousness, she parted his pale lips, plugged his greasy nose with her fingers, and poured the red fluid down his throat. Setting aside the empty bottle, she sat back on her knees and began the long, laborious process of waiting – waiting for Navi, waiting for Link's awakening, waiting for a miracle. There was nothing more to do but sit there and observe him, occasionally checking his pulse and wiping the mixture of blood, dirt, and sweat from his brow, only taking her eyes off him to retrieve the highly valuable Master Sword from a moblin corpse; all this while constantly warding off the fears and regrets that were threatening her stomach with nausea and her eyes with tears.

A bright, pristine white stretched out across a never-ending canvas before Link's eyes. A still silence hung in the air, enveloping his body in a tranquil lethargy like the serene, floating feeling of much needed sleep. In this blanket of quietude there was no suffering, no anguish, no burning sensation in his chest – only pure and peaceful bliss. This transient haven eclipsed all care and memory with a pervasive feeling of wholeness, causing the sojourner to forget where he came from and long for where he was headed.

This particular sojourner, while crossing the white celestial abyss, retained one shred of his existence, one persistent memory that clutched tightly to his heart, refusing to release its grasp. Initially Link was only aware of its presence in the form of an odd weight that sought to challenge the lightness of his body. It soon began taking form, however, appearing in a breeze that whisked through the white landscape as if it were made of clouds. Tranquility was interrupted and contentment was confused as the presence grew stronger, leading the hero to doubt the perfection of this seeming utopia.

"Link."

A sudden haunting whisper pierced the silence, reverberating through the empty halls of the endless chamber. The soft undertone, as its echo ceaselessly resonated in the air, caused a small rift to form in the white canvas, diminishing the serenity and blissful lethargy. The immaculate white suddenly ceased to glisten with light, turning to silver and then fading to grey. While this all happened quite gradually, the disintegration of his haven appeared quite abrupt to Link. Threads of white drifted away as greys continued to appear and dissolve, their shades growing in darkness as the fading progressed.

Then suddenly, in the midst of the evaporating canvas, he beheld her face. Zelda.

Link's eyelids fluttered in confusion. Why was he seeing Zelda? The hero possessed no knowledge of her location, and his thoughts had long since been captivated by another. Yet he was certain he saw her face shining through the gloom, radiating pure goodness. Perhaps her image had been sent by the goddesses to guide him into the Afterlife, for she was his princess, his employer, and in truth his first love. Crystal blue eyes, long delicate lashes, blonde eyebrows, a slender nose, and ruby lips were enthroned in a bed of milky white skin. Long golden hair flowed down her body in elegant waves to meet her shimmering white gown. A gentle smile graced her features.

If Zelda's job was to escort Link into the next life, why did a sudden urgency shoot through his languid body? Why was the shroud of serenity being further ripped from him with each passing moment? Why was the world around him still fading away, every strip of grey that departed leaving a darker shade in its place? All tranquility was dispelled from his mind as Link grappled with these questions, watching in awe as Zelda's smile remained constant on a continually darkening canvas.

Then in an instant, when all presence of light had left the black void, the image of Zelda flickered and disappeared. Another image replaced her so suddenly though, that it was quite difficult to discern that an alteration had occurred. Pure, radiant skin became sullied with blood and grime, long golden tresses were bound in a loose, bedraggled braid, the white gown faded into dark disheveled garments, azure eyes transformed into crimson, and the expression of welcoming peace became clouded with anxiety and distress. Sheik?

Reality crashed upon him like cold rushing water, banishing all lethargy and reverie from his mind and body. Sheik was there with him, sitting beside him as her eyes illuminated with joy, her face unmasked to reveal a beautiful smile. The air was crisp and invigorating upon his skin, the bark rough against his back, the moss soft and moist beneath him, the forest alive with distant chirps and caws…the taste foul in his mouth? Smacking his lips, the hero's face contorted into a most disgusted grimace as he contemplated the unpleasant flavor on his tongue. "Oh gods, what's that awful taste in my mouth?" he gagged, his tongue protruding from his lips. "Sheik, did you pour a potion down my throat?" As the pungent bitter taste overwhelmed his taste buds, he continued to smack his lips to reduce the vileness when he noticed that his chin was covered in a wet, sticky substance. Wiping it with his hand, he found red droplets that confirmed his hypothesis. "Oh, and a red one too?" he groaned. "You know those are the worst tasting!"

Zelda's mind, threatening to overflow with relief, was found unequipped to handle the hero's nonchalant witticism. While she attempted to don a stern mask, it was entirely impossible to eclipse the joy that swelled in her bosom. "My apologies, hero. Perhaps I will take the time to find a more agreeable tasting potion the next time I save your life," she stated, her caustic air betrayed by a growing smile.

Link, pleasantly surprised by the sight of Sheik's rare smile, began to chuckle. His mood was entirely blissful, overjoyed that he had been reunited with his lover, until a sudden sharp sting racked his frame, eliciting a pained wince and hiss. The area under his left shoulder began throbbing as the discomfort returned, reminding him of his injury with a terrible piercing sensation. While this pain paled in comparison to the agony he experienced by the actual stab, it was still considerably uncomfortable, leaving the hero fatigued and lightheaded. Squeezing his eyes shut, Link cautiously shifted positions until the intense ache diminished.

Zelda's subtle grin immediately faded at the sight of Link's discomfort. Before she could properly contemplate her actions, she grabbed his hand and squeezed it soothingly. "Be still," she commanded gently. "You should start to feel the potion's effects shortly, but you need to remain motionless in the meantime."

After Link responded with a nod, a silence fell over the couple – a stillness that Zelda would have found quite uncomfortable if she wasn't currently enwrapped in contemplating her joy. Lowering her eyes to avoid betraying her heart, she focused on the chafed, begrimed hand she was stroking through a large rip in his glove. Only moments prior she had been battling with her inconsolable grief at the possibility of Link's death, but all distress had been effectively banished when his lids fluttered open to reveal brilliant blue eyes, their bright hues enlivening his pale face, gradually returning color to his cheeks. The hero had suffered an agonizing blow and felt the cold fingers of death grasp his body, yet he awoke with the customary vigor and humor as if nothing of the sort had occurred. He was wholly unaware of the terrible anxiety this scare had caused his Sheikah guide, and likewise could not possibly understand the tremendous delight that now flowed through her veins. All her fears were put to rest, every sorrow silenced. There was one element, however, that prevented her joy from being complete, one nagging thought that lingered in the depth of her mind. In the midst of despair, when the princess feared all was futile, she had been seized by a strong desire to apologize to the hero and assure him of her regard. But now that he was alive and would recover, was such a confession still necessary or even possible? Zelda could not help but release a sigh as she recognized the beginning of another arduous battle between Emotion and Reason, Heart and Mind.

Some time passed before either Hylian spoke, each too consumed by their own thoughts to converse. While Zelda struggled to prevent her inner turmoil from appearing on her highly visible face, Link's happiness at being in her company was tainted by an unquenchable curiosity. Although he recognized that her duty still required her to save his life if she stumbled upon a dire situation, what had led her to be in the vicinity? Her callous denial of the feelings she had once clearly professed promised that she would no longer follow in his shadow, reducing their contact to only the most necessary instances. What had caused her to contradict her resolution? With these questions on his lips, the dauntless hero had almost mustered enough courage to pose them when his shadow guide spoke.

"How do you feel now?" Zelda asked, gazing at the hero with concern. Link's constant inertness for the past few minutes had produced no more winces, bolstering the hope that his pain had subsided. Her slender finger traced the dirt-covered creases on his hand absentmindedly, this one tender action unregulated by her obligatory aloofness.

Glad that the uncomfortable silence had ended, Link took a moment to contemplate his current state before responding. "Like I just swallowed Dodongo barf," he answered before trying to wipe the lingering taste from his tongue.

Zelda's concern morphed into an unamused glower as she withdrew her hand, slightly irritated that the injured hero was still dwelling on the potion's undesirable taste, regardless of how grateful she was that he possessed the consciousness to even make such remarks. "Besides that," she said curtly.

With slow, cautious movements, the hero attempted to sit up so that the back of his head no longer rested against the tree bark. While the dull ache was ever-present below his shoulder, he found that the slight movement did not evoke a sharp pain. "Better," he responded as he began to painlessly fidget.

As another genuine smile tugged at Zelda's lips, the disguised princess contemplated the prudence of allowing too much happiness to emanate from her features. While she was truly overcome with joy at Link's survival, she did not believe it wise to let Link witness her elation, for she had yet to sort out the emotions warring in her mind. "Good," she responded simply. "The potion must have started working."

Although the Sheikah was making a valiant effort to conceal her emotions and appear characteristically impassive, Link could detect a subtle difference in her eyes. The crimson orbs seemed to sparkle with a gaiety that he had not witnessed since their brief excursion in Kakariko, and her mouth was always on the verge of a smile. While he could sense that she was again repressing her true self, there was something different about her reservation, something less somber and more endearingly shy. It was certainly odd to witness the Sheikah warrior in such a state, but the hero found it also strangely adorable. Perhaps if he continued to converse casually, her heart would slowly be revealed to him. Searching for another topic to perpetuate the tête-à-tête, he began to scan his surroundings (beyond Sheik) for the first time since waking. A quick glance at the scenery revealed tall pines above him, a large blackberry bush before him, and the bloodstained Master Sword at his side. When his eyes fell upon his expertly bandaged wound, he turned to Sheik with a smirk. "Well, looks like these bandages of yours have finally come to good use." His large grin was rewarded with a very subtle smile and a shake of the head from his Sheikah companion.

As silence again filled the air, Link fell into contemplation as he continued to examine the scenery, his gaze alighting on Stallord's jagged sword as it lay in the pine needles, drenched in the hero's own blood. Having recently experienced some bodily trauma, his earnest attempts at remembering the event did not prove quite successful. The blond Hylian was still quite dizzy from the incident, and as a person who wakes from a midday nap, he was uncertain as to how much time had elapsed. Bringing a hand to his forehead, but quickly withdrawing it when he touched a tender bruise, he gazed at Sheik in confusion. "So what exactly happened?" he asked. "All I can remember is being stabbed…and you were fighting Stallord…" As he ran a hand through his disheveled bangs, his eyes returned to Sheik after another onceover of the area, suddenly noticing certain startling aspects of her appearance. Countless long red scratches marred her face and neck, still shimmering with fresh blood. "Are you okay?" he asked, gazing at her with tender concern. Gingerly he extended his hand toward her cheek and brushed his fingers against a particularly long cut.

Zelda's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Link's warm, compassionate eyes glistening in the small ray of light that streamed through the trees. "I'm fine," she quickly replied, recoiling with a less than subtle reluctance. Every touch of his hand sent pleasant tremors through her body that sought to aid her Heart's campaign, rendering it more difficult to remain committed to her previous resolution. Grappling for a distraction from the emotions that bubbled within, she switched the spotlight off herself. "But that's more than I can say about Stallord," the princess added nonchalantly.

The hero's eyes adopted a distant aspect, his gazing turning towards the path where he was certain Stallord's crushed bones lay, although the bushes eclipsed his view. "Good. His arrogance was really starting to tick me off," he responded with a solemn nod. As more memories returned to his mind, detailing Stallord's haughty smirks, Wolfos' growls, and various other moments in the battle, dispelling the dizziness with each image's clarity, he suddenly remembered a certain blue fairy who was missing from the picture. "But where's Navi?" he asked, his sweaty brow furrowing in concern.

"She went to retrieve some fairy water to disinfect your wound," Zelda responded, brushing stray golden locks from her face.

Releasing a breath of relief, Link responded with a simple "oh." As his mind failed to contrive another topic of conversation, the air fell dead with a heavy, uncomfortable silence. While the hero's tongue remained still, however, his brain was teeming with boundless activity as it churned with a thousand different words that he greatly wished to speak. He found it considerably difficult to prolong a casual exchange when assaulted by a legion of thoughts and emotions, and while Sheik masterfully strove to conceal her heart, he could guess that she shared his sentiments. A great wedge had been lodged between their two hearts, complicating all interactions between two souls that truly desired each other, and while they could endeavor to ignore its existence, they would not be at ease until the wedge was removed.

Zelda's mind was equally swarming with thoughts as her heart burned with the same passion that Link, with his contemplative brow and bitten lip, was experiencing. Avoiding the eyes that were likewise evading hers, her hands fell to absently fiddling with the remainder of her arm bandages as the battle of her identities intensified inside her. With great effort she attempted to keep her Sheikah walls erect, but they were again rendered unstable by the hero's influence. There was so many words she desired to speak to him, and as they made their unwavering journey from her overwrought brain to her mouth, she recognized that now was the ideal time to voice them before Navi returned. But was it truly wise to begin even the most harmless heartfelt dialogue? Yet as the princess' gaze strayed to the Master Sword, her overflowing heart was reminded of the magnitude of Link's heroism.

"You saved my life, Link…" The words escaped through a crack in her armor, in such a tender and awestruck voice, before she could properly fortify herself. Link's shimmering blue eyes instantly locked onto hers, ignited with hope by her display of emotion. Quickly Zelda's Reason chided her for the slipup, however, prompting her features to turn solemn. "But you mustn't be so reckless, hero, surrendering your only means of defense when your life is considerably more valuable than mine," she stated. Her attempt at impassivity was clouded by genuine concern, however, for it was impossible to be detached when Link had nearly died defending her.

While Sheik's predictable return to aloofness, coupled with her scolding and excessive humility, could prove vexing, Link had glimpsed a glimmer of her heart and sought to pursue it. "No, don't say that!" he responded with a reassuring smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you…You saved me, after all." After glancing at his bandaged wound, his eyes returned to Sheik's with an intense and genuine affection that strove to display his gratitude and summon her heart from its prison.

As Zelda's heart experienced another pleasant palpitation, she desperately sought a distraction from the hero's enticing blue eyes. With every second that passed it grew more difficult to remain guarded, for she was truly too happy that Link was alive, her mirth threatening to unravel every layer of disguise she had laboriously donned. Scanning the area for a diversion, her eyes fell to Link's mangled leg and decided that while the wound had long stopped bleeding, it was still wise to bandage it. Without giving Link's tender words the courtesy of a response, she began unraveling the long strips of cloth from her other arm.

Link's affectionate features grew slightly downcast at Sheik's perpetuated reticence, wishing that she could for once be candid with him. As he watched her crouch by his legs and begin to bandage the Wolfos bites, he realized that the detached shadow was not going to volunteer an answer to the burning questions that lay concealed in his mind. Thus, he was required to voice them. "Sheik, why'd you come back?" he asked hesitantly, watching her face bent over her work. "You made it pretty clear that you wouldn't." His voice grew soft and somewhat dismal as he uttered these words.

"I…"As Zelda lifted her gaze, her words faltered, struck by the sorrowful aspect of Link's eyes. It was quite evident that the injury she had inflicted upon him was still smarting, perhaps as keenly as his stab wound. She utilized the few seconds required to tie the ends of the bandages to think up an appropriate, prudent response. Then, rising from her crouched position, she retrieved the Hylian shield from between two gnarled tree roots and sat down again beside him. "It appears that you are still in need of my assistance," she replied simply, handing him the shield.

The gloominess was immediately dispelled from Link's visage as his eyes illuminated with excitement. "My shield!" he exclaimed, receiving the ornate shield with his uninjured arm. Placing it on his lap, he gazed at the battered surface for a moment, contemplating how useful it would have proved against Stallord. "Where'd you find it?" he asked eagerly.

Finding Link's enthusiasm quite adorable, the princess retained her emotionless mask with profound difficulty as she offered him an answer. "It was in Impa's house," she replied slowly, repressing a smile. "In the cow pen."

Link's face contorted into an expression of great amusement and confusion as he released a surprised laugh. "How in Hyrule did it wind up in there?" With great caution he brought the shield to his nose and inhaled its scent, coughing at the pungent manure odor.

The hero's stupefied reaction proved quite comical to Zelda, eliciting a persistent smile that she battled futilely to subdue. "I haven't the faintest idea," she replied with a shrug, turning her face to conceal her grin.

Even as his lungs burned with the revolting aroma of cow dung, the hero did not fail to notice his shadow's subtle smile. Encouraged by this, he sought to perpetuate the levity to draw her further from her shell. "You know, I still don't understand why Impa keeps a cow in her house," he observed, setting the shield aside. "Yeah, it's convenient for me because I can get free milk without leaving the comfort of her discomforting glare, but it still doesn't make sense." His eyes glistened with humor as he released a chuckle.

While Zelda could no longer restrain her smile, she was able to reduce her bubbling laughter to one audible exhalation. "There are many actions of Impa that I do not understand, but I have learned not to question her wisdom…" As the words left her mouth, the princess was instantly assaulted by another wave of conflicted emotions, banishing her smile and returning her to solemnity. There was one particular action of Impa that she had been questioning, deep within her heart, for the past sixteen hours, and no matter how she essayed to persuade herself that it was right, she was now beginning to believe otherwise.

Realizing that Sheik had retreated completely back inside her walls of defense, and guessing that she was probably considering how Impa forbade their relationship, Link figured that it was an appropriate time to voice another burning question. It was still with great hesitance that he managed to pose it, uncertain as to how she would react. "So…" he began, futilely attempting to mask his anxiety with casualness. Suddenly his eyes grew tremendously tender as he gazed at the Sheikah beside him. "What does this mean for us?" Then, as his eyes strayed to his hands, he dared to ask, "Are you going to stay with me until I've recovered?"

Zelda's eyes fell likewise to her hands as she awaited the outcome of her internal battle. While Emotion was urging her to remain in the hero's company to satisfy her vast affection, even Reason was lending some of its strength to the proposition, observing that Link's injury would compromise his fighting prowess until fully healed; and even with potions, the recovery could prove lengthy. With half of Reason's resources spent in supporting Emotion's proposal, the remaining voice that spoke of Impa's commands was considerably hushed. As the disguised princess returned her gaze to Link, the sight of his hopeful eyes, coupled with his pallid complexion and battered body, rendered the offer extremely enticing. It suddenly no longer mattered how long or censuring Impa's inevitable lecture would be; the hero required her aid, and she served the hero. "I suppose I must…" she replied softly, still hesitant about the decision. "Even though Impa has expressly forbidden it."

While Sheik's answer was certainly what Link desired to hear, her strict adherence to rules rendered it quite surprising, for he was convinced that she would hold to Impa's instructions. Blinking in astonishment, he stared at the Sheikah's face as she adopted a relatively resolute expression, clearly an attempt to banish all uncertainty. "Really?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair from his reddened forehead. Was convincing Sheik truly going to be so simple? He had stored up an entire arsenal of persuasive speeches to sway her, yet were none of those highly heartfelt words going to be necessary? "You have so much respect for Impa…" the hero observed. "Yet you choose to disobey her for me? Why?" His head tilted sideways in a charming fashion customary to his puzzlement.

While Link's affectionate gaze was beckoning Zelda to fully liberate her heart from Reason's fetters, she resisted its magnetism for the sake of her promise to Hyrule, disinclined to reveal the true motives behind her acquiescence. "The unfortunate location of your wound has rendered it difficult for you to wield your sword," she answered with her usual detachment. "You will need aid in combat lest you be vulnerable to the servants of Ganondorf."

After considering Sheik's reply for a few moments, eyes darting from his bandaged left arm to his sword, Link returned his sights to his shadow guide. "But is that the only reason?" he dared to ask as he tilted his head further, a hopeful glimmer in his azure orbs. While her rejection of him was still fresh in his mind, he could penetrate her cool demeanor enough to recognize that she regarded his survival with true joy. The Sheikah appeared conflicted between two personalities as she vacantly tugged at the unraveling bandages that swathed her hand, for her tone recurrently alternated between distant and caring, solemn and content.

"I…" Zelda began, instantly devising an eloquent lie that would quash all suspicions of her acute fondness. She immediately bit her lip as the words dried on her tongue, however, her heart beating violently in her chest in an attempt to forestall further misery on both parties. Could she really deceive him again? The princess had possessed significantly more strength the first time she had denied her feelings, bolstered by Impa's sound reason and assurance of her duty. But without Impa as her conscience, Zelda found the effects of her heart increasingly more potent than before. Again she was assaulted by guilt, vividly recalling the devastation in Link's eyes as she denounced her love, hurling him from bliss to despair with a word from her mouth. The hero, with a pure and trusting heart, had done nothing to merit such harsh betrayal, and she believed it her own fault for the possible hazards of their relationship, prompting Zelda to deem herself the cruelest monster for dragging Link into this web of deception. Gazing earnestly at the Hero of Time from behind her golden bangs, she decided to respond with a more pressing question. "But do you truly wish me to stay?" she asked, her voice tinged with regret. "After all I've done to you, after how deeply I've hurt you, why would you still want me by your side?" With remorse etched upon her features she lowered her head, tying the frayed ends of a bandage around the palm of her hand.

Gazing upon the Sheikah's downcast visage, Link realized that this was the first time during their conversation that she spoke simply and candidly, free from elegant words and affected airs. Detecting the perceptible penitence displayed on her features, the hero recognized that she was evidently quite sorry for her callous words and – perhaps, if he dared to hope – truly did love him. While he longed to take her in his arms, her resistance was probable, resigning him to declare his regard in hopes of ascertaining her true feelings. "Because I love you!" he responded ardently, placing a battered hand on top of hers. "Yes, what you did really hurt me, and I still don't understand why you had to reject me like that when you could have just told me that Impa forbade our relationship. But now that you're here with me, none of that really seems to matter anymore." While Sheik did not respond, she allowed her hand to be gently caressed by his calloused fingers, providing Link with the encouragement to continue his address. "You mean so much to me, Sheik. You know I can never stay angry at you, even when you scold me or shove potions down my throat or question my masculinity; and it isn't any different now." A large grin spread across his face as he saw his humor elicit a small smile from the elusive Sheikah. Then suddenly his glistening eyes clouded over as he continued with more solemnity. "That's why I threw my sword to stop that moblin, because no matter how much you tell me my life is more important, I would rather die than watch you suffer."

The expression Link wore as he uttered this declaration – courage, heroism, determination, and love mingled in a way most becoming to his features – rendered Zelda speechless. Many emotions erupted inside her, veins pumping with great love for the hero, inhabiting every corner of her being. Her walls of defense were truly not built to withstand such an effective assault of earnest devotion, such adoring and undeserved grace. As she contemplated his confession, very tempted to again abandon her stringent convictions and adopt much more desirable sentiments, she silently reveled in the touch of his hand until Link broke the silence.

"But you still haven't answered my question," he persisted with a gentle smile.

Zelda's lips remained motionless as her emotions rumbled inside her chest, fervently pleading to be released from the overflowing chambers of her heart. Notions stirred within her that proved very different from those of the previous night when she had made her sacrificial vow to Hyrule, for a significant event had occurred since then. Link's frightening brush with death had served as a stark reminder of his mortality, causing her to ponder the prudence of withholding her love. The guilt she had experienced when gazing upon his lifeless face had awakened new sensibilities within her, challenging her to rethink her blind obedience to Impa, and perhaps, as Malon had suggested, follow her own heart for once. And then another strange thing had occurred during the battle, something that inspired hope, urging her to believe that their feelings would not prove detrimental to their quest. As her heart pounded deafeningly in her ear, the princess finally succumbed to Emotion, yet not by vanquishing Reason. She found herself in complete control of her faculties as she spoke. "When Stallord stabbed you before my eyes..." she began, lids falling shut as she envisioned the scene. "When I saw you lying there in silent agony with a blade pierced so close to your heart, the life bleeding out of you…I was overcome with a rage I had previously never known. I burned with an intense desire to mutilate Stallord, to have him taste your agony tenfold; and my anger gave me the strength to do so." She kept steady eye contact with Link as she spoke intently, ensuring him of her sincerity as she gently pressed his hand.

Link, hanging onto her every word with rapt attention, felt a warmth pervade his body as he observed the surprising amount of feeling in her eyes, delighted that she was finally confiding in him. "See? We make a pretty good team, you and I, watching each other's backs," he remarked with a smile, returning the squeeze.

It was no happenstance that this exact thought had been swimming around Zelda's mind for the last hour, inspiring substantial hope that Emotion and Reason could possibly be reconciled. Did her Heart and her Mind always need to contradict each other, or could they somehow live in harmony? Certainly her Heart could be satisfied by his mere presence, defeating the need for physical intimacy that would render their relationship more evident to others, thus satisfying her Mind with discretion. Her love for Link, while very strong, did not have to solely focus on romance, for she could utilize her feelings to fuel her dedication to the quest. The masked princess could serve Hyrule by her lover's side, fulfilling her duty to her kingdom while not binding her heart in chains. "Perhaps love does not always have to be a hindrance…" she voiced, allowing Link a rare glimpse into her musings. "Perhaps it can sometimes be a strength. I doubt I would have possessed such power if I was really as cold and distant as I strive to be…" She stopped herself short for a moment, wrestling with the prudence of her next words. Yet the epiphany she had just stumbled upon proved too significant to suppress. "…if I did not love you," she breathed, her crimson eyes locking fixedly onto his.

A sudden flood of bliss cascaded upon the Hero of Time, inducing a warm, giddy sensation that he had only once previously experienced, when they had shared their first fated kiss. Within his chest, the fragments of his heart had been reassembled into a whole organ, burning as intensely as the flames of Death Mountain as all painful scars were purged. It was in the midst of this joy, as a massive smile spread from ear to ear, that Link was struck with the desire to clarify her meaning, lest he again be confused by his ambiguous lover. "So you do really love me?" he asked, his azure eyes shimmering like the ocean.

The crisp forest air turned warm and pleasant around Zelda's fatigued body as the marriage of Emotion and Reason transpired most happily within her breast. "…Yes." As soon as she uttered these words, her soft tone emanating utter sincerity, an enormous weight was lifted off her shoulders, dispelled by the union between the conflicting forces that had once disrupted her brain. The serene smile that graced her lips, coupled with eyes that shimmered like crimson water, enlivened her battle-worn features, eclipsing all filth and scrapes with a very flattering glow. Her newfound peace was soon to be threatened, however, proving that while she had come to terms with her love for Link, their relationship could not be completely paradisiacal while a certain substantial secret was still concealed.

As excessive amounts of joy saturated Link's being, the hero feeling closer to his mysterious shadow than ever before, he thought it appropriate to voice another question, believing that Sheik's unmasked heart would dispose her to answer truthfully. "Then why –?"

"Please do not ask me something I cannot explain," Zelda quickly interrupted, fully apprehending the question on his lips. As Link's boundless bliss was eclipsed by disappointment and perplexity, the princess' heart throbbed with remorse but comprehended that some barriers could not yet be broken, regardless of how tempting it appeared to lay all burdens down before him. Leaning closer to the hero, Zelda removed her hand from his and rested it upon his uninjured shoulder, gazing sincerely at his begrimed visage, crimson eyes radiating their full capacity of love. "But be assured that when your quest has reached its end – when Ganondorf has finally been defeated and Hyrule has regained its peace – everything will be revealed and you will at last understand. All I can tell you now is that I believed obeying Impa's command to be in the best interest of Hyrule, but now I realize that hers is not the only possible way. We can still fight effectively side by side without letting our affection hinder us." As she spoke these heartfelt words, Zelda observed a gradual change in Link's expression, his features ultimately forming a content smile as she punctuated her last sentence with a reassuring grin. Heartened by Link's uplifted spirits, she decided it time to seek a remedy to the remaining guilt in her heart. "Will you forgive me for deceiving you?" she asked, earnestly hoping he would but fully understanding if he could not. "Trust me, it was in no way easy or painless to injure you so."

As Link observed the palpable care on his Sheikah's unmasked face, every last wound lingering on his heart was healed by the balm of her genuine love. While he had already resolved to pardon her wrongs even if they never again crossed paths, when offered her love, it was simply impossible to refuse her. "You know I've already forgiven you," he replied, his handsome features exuding pure, unadulterated sincerity. With glistening eyes the hero studied Sheik's beautiful unveiled visage, drinking in the sight he doubted he would have the pleasure of beholding again in the near future. His heart and soul were wholly enraptured by her beauty, the near-death vision of Princess Zelda long forgotten. How he yearned to caress her sun-kissed skin, run his fingers through her loose golden braid, and taste her soft, rosy lips.

As Link battled the intense urge to kiss Sheik, fearing that the bold move executed too soon may remove him from her good graces, the forest grew silent. The rustling leaves, trickling stream, crying cicadas, and whistling jays created an atmosphere of tranquility as Nature released a blissful sigh, celebrating the pair's reconciliation.

While Link attempted to keep his mental wrestling discreet, Zelda noted the way his features contorted into an awkward, twitching smile, recognizing his typical conflicted expression. It was the same face he donned when he passed a shooting gallery, aware of his guide's disapproval of such frivolity but experiencing a great urge to indulge in some archery practice. Because there were no shooting galleries in the vicinity, the princess could only suppose that the impulse he was combatting was related to his shadow lover. Zelda herself was no stranger to such longings, for she was currently contending with the same notion. As pleasant memories swirled inside her mind, her heart entreated in soft whispers to crown the momentous occasion with a tender kiss. The hero, with disheveled hair tainted red at the hairline from a surface wound, deep blue blemishes peppering his forehead that glistened with sweat, dark lines of fatigue lying under his eyes, crimson cuts dancing upon his cheeks, a dark red slit adorning his bottom lip, and shreds of bloodstained cloth partially obscuring a purple-tinted chest, appeared more handsome than Hyrule's finest knight. But regardless of how appealing the scheme appeared, such amorous lip locking had been their downfall in Kakariko, informing both the village and Impa of their relationship. Prying eyes were everywhere, rendering the risk of a kiss far too great. As Zelda dispelled her urges to a dark recess in her brain, a scorched sleeve of Link's undershirt caught her attention. Gingerly taking the arm and examining it, the princess discovered that a hole had been burnt through the fabric, revealing a red patch of skin. Having found the perfect distraction from further hazardous cravings, Zelda produced a jar of salve from her traveling sack and began to apply the cool, sticky balm.

As Link observed his faithful companion attend his burns, reveling in the soothing chill against his burning flesh, he allowed the serene silence one more moment of reign before speaking. "So now what?" the Hero of Time asked the top of Sheik's head.

With gentle movements, the disguised princess finished coating the burn and began acquiring more bandages from her various limbs, finding her Sheikah garb particularly practical that day. "Once Navi returns with fairy water we can disinfect your wound," she informed, tearing a strip of cloth from her leg with her teeth. After removing a dagger that had been concealed in her thigh bandages, she started binding Link's arm. "How are you feeling?" she asked, carefully tying the ends of cloth together. "Do you need another potion?"

Without even moving his arm to determine if it pained him, Link hastily replied, "I'm fine!" The hero doubted that his taste buds could survive another assault from shriveled mushrooms, gooey syrup, spider legs, and whatever other unholy ingredients formed the disgusting concoction.

Zelda grinned at the hero with a mixture of incredulity and humor as she sat back on her knees. "All right," she acquiesced, wiping her sticky hands on her tabard. "I'll save the next one for after I clean your wound." The princess' grin grew with levity at Link's palpable distaste for the impending potion as he wrinkled his nose. Eyes falling to the remaining tonics in her open sack, she suddenly recalled the plight of the Zoras, a pressing duty that had been forgotten in the previous chaos. "Then we must proceed towards Zora's Domain," she added, her smile dimming.

While the hero certainly possessed concern for the Zora, and was likewise eager to obtain the rumored Iron Boots, he decided to focus on a different aspect of Sheik's instruction. "We,"Link repeated with a warm smile, the word sending pleasant tingles down his spine.Resting his head back against the tree trunk, his green hat acting as a cushion, he released a faint exhalation as his mind fell to musing. Eyes tracing every elegant curve of her face, he summoned a memory that had not long since occurred.

Overwhelming disorientation, alarm, awe, dizziness, exhaustion, and anxiety – this nauseating jumble of emotions had been the first to awaken the hero after seven long years of slumber. With only Navi's exclamations and the cryptic words of a fat old man, Link found himself standing in the Temple of Time as a man, entrusted with the daunting duty of rescuing Hyrule from its many perils. It was as he fidgeted under the weight of this extraordinary burden that he first met her – Sheik. Little did he realize that this impassive, poetic mystery would soon become his whole world, captivating his thoughts and invading his dreams, inciting excitement upon every meeting. He had moved from regarding the enigma with suspicion to placing his complete trust in her as he offered his heart. While she had still been exceedingly distant, he relished her mere presence at the entrance of the Forest Temple, gathering courage to face the challenges that awaited.

As these treasured memories swirled around his mind, Link wondered how differently circumstances would have played out if Sheik had not been there to offer encouragement in her own guarded way."You know, I'm really happy that you've rejoined me, because I feel lost without you," the hero expressed fondly, his vision still clouded with recollections.

As Zelda observed the distant look in Link's eyes, she felt warmth rise to her cheeks. "Certainly the Hero of Time does not need much guidance from a lowly Sheikah," she responded humbly, believing she deserved no credit for his accomplishments. He was the goddess-ordained hero after all; he had braved labyrinths, defeated a phantom beast, and slayed an enormous dragon, while the useless, exiled princess merely waited outside with bandages and potions. Saving Hyrule was his grand destiny, and she played only a minute part in it.

Astonishment and disbelief colored the Hylian's brow as he returned his gaze to Sheik. "You of all people know that's not true!" he responded, intent on defending his valued guide's worth. As he again replayed memories of his journey thus far, particular images seemed to stand out, depicting a battered, half-dead boy staggering out from a temple to receive rejuvenation from his faithful shadow. While it had only been a month since they first met, she had already witnessed him at his highest and lowest points, observed his strength and weaknesses, and penetrated his heart with her keen perception. She, the adroit Sheikah who had trained seven long years under Impa's harsh tutelage while he slumbered ignorantly, was far more deserving of recognition. "I'm really not that much of a hero…" he admitted pensively, removing his hat to run fingers through his disheveled locks. After a moment of silence, as his hand returned to his side, he looked back at Sheik with vulnerable honesty and laid his heart bare. "The only reason I proclaimed my love to you on Death Mountain was because I wasn't sure if I'd come out alive from an active volcano guarded by a dragon. I wanted to make sure you knew my feelings in case I didn't make it." He released an ironic laugh. "After all, I'm just a kid."

Link's openness in sharing his well-founded trepidations reminded Zelda why the goddesses had selected such a man for the vocation of hero – such a humble, sincere man. As the hero's eyes reflected the same apprehension as when he first awoke in the Temple of Time, the princess claimed his gaze with compassionate crimson orbs. "You have matured vastly during the short time I've known you, Link," she stated, recalling not only the awakened hero but the plucky and impulsive lad of ten. "Do not underestimate your abilities. You were chosen by the goddesses for this task because your courage and your heart are true." Beholding the Hero of Time with unstinted earnestness, she gently placed a hand over the heart that beat not only for his Sheikah lover, but for all of Hyrule and its suffering people.

Once Link had imbibed the profound love in Sheik's eyes, his gaze fell to her hand as it lay below his wound, appearing oddly small and delicate against his bruised chest. "Thanks, Sheik," he replied, releasing a contented sigh. Bringing a calloused finger to her cheek, he began gently caressing her skin, a pleasant action from which she did not again recoil. While he still believed himself undeserving of the Master Sword and the goddesses' blessing, the hero felt exceedingly unworthy of his matchless friend, this Sheikah woman whose often-concealed face held eyes that shimmered like rubies and soft, appealing lips of which he could hardly remember the taste. Although he had learned the importance of discretion from their recent trial, experiencing the unfortunate consequences of disregarding Sheik's counsel, he found himself again longing to enfold her in his arms and deliver the sweetest of kisses. Surely there would be no harm in such innocent affection displayed in the privacy of a deserted forest.

It was as Link gazed at his beloved shadow, handsome features curved into a smile of purest adoration, that she became utterly convinced of his love for her, Zelda; for he had seen through her impassive mask and enigmatic bandages, beholding her adventurous, compassionate and wise heart. While he may refer to her as Sheik, and believe her to be the last of an elusive race, the hero was truly in love with a Hylian princess. This glorious reality rendered it highly unlikely that she would experience strong desires to disclose her secret prematurely, for he was not merely in love with a fictitious Sheikah warrior. With his eyes beaming affectionately at her, and his fingers gently stroking her skin, Zelda no longer dreaded the day she would divulge her identity or feared his rejection, but instead longed for the grand reveal when all would finally be elucidated and they could live as they should, no longer hiding in the shadows. But as long as Ganondorf still claimed the throne, their blossoming love would unfortunately have to flourish away from sunlight. It was with this thought in mind that the princess recognized the precarious proximity of Link's face.

Zelda's radiant amorousness momentarily waned as she donned her favorite serious expression. "I needn't remind you that we must conceal our relationship from others," she stated. While her face was solemn, she permitted more than the usual impassivity to color her voice, hoping to influence Link with earnestness. "We cannot allow another Kakariko incident to occur, for Ganondorf's spies are everywhere and it would be very dangerous for both of us if he discovered our love." Pausing momentarily, she pressed her hand more firmly to his heart. "Impa must also not learn that I have again disobeyed her. Believe me, you do not wish to see how furious that will make her. And I don't think you want any more villages thinking you're in a raunchy relationship with a male Sheikah." An amused grin graced Zelda's lips as Link's face burned bright crimson. "So we must be prudent and stay focused on your quest. I'm afraid that means our physical contact must be limited. Discretion is crucial if we are to – "

Zelda found herself no longer at liberty to continue her warnings, for her mouth had been seized by Link's passionate lips as his arm snaked around her neck, pulling her closer to deepen the kiss. Although she had indeed been speaking wisdom, Link wished to celebrate their renewal of affection in a different, more pleasing manner. While the shadow warrior was not one to be trifled with, the audacious hero received no other resistance than a startled gasp before the kiss was heartily returned. Feeling a strange sort of giddiness surge inside her, Zelda couldn't help but smile against his lips, oddly amused by his reckless obstinacy. Her Reason would have its day, but there was no harm in currently indulging her Emotion, for the lovers were concealed among the bushes of the forest. When enwrapped in Link's warm embrace, fingers roaming through his hair, tender lips uniting as one, the only sound she heard was the song of his heart as it beat in time with hers, and the only thought she could sustain was how ardently she adored the Hero of Time.

What would become of this hero and princess, this forest boy and exiled shadow? Only the goddesses could say for certain. Perhaps they would reach the end of their quest and triumph over Ganondorf, purging the land of all evil and flooding it with light. Perhaps Link would finally discover that his first love had always been his true love, and remain in Hyrule by his princess' side. Perhaps many blissful years would pass in this new era of peace, cultivating the couple's friendship and deepening their love. Perhaps resplendent bells would resound one beautiful morning, signaling the union between legendary hero and beloved princess. Perhaps many more years of wonderful happiness would produce plucky fair-haired children, who their parents would collect beside the fire to share the story of their fated love. And perhaps this tale, relating all epic details of evil kings, temple labyrinths, fire-breathing dragons, divine sages, talkative fairies, mysterious shadow folk, romantic escapades, gossipy villagers, stern mentors, internal conflict, heartbreak, philosophical ranch girls, greedy shopkeepers, arrogant skeletons, close rescues, and reconciliation would teach the young ones that you needn't be dictated by either logic or passion alone, but that Emotion and Reason can coexist, utilizing both Heart and Mind to mold you into a person of great Wisdom and Courage. Or perhaps none of these scenarios would occur. Perhaps the goddesses had ordained a different path for the hero to follow, a path of great trials and adventures, a path unconnected to Zelda's fate. But whatever uncertainties the nebulous future held, the hero and his shadow could be satisfied with the memories they now created, mixing affection and commitment into the perfect blend of legendary love.

The End

Author's note: It took me seven months, but I finally finished this story that was originally planned as a one-shot. Thank you to any who made it through the whole thing! Also, a big thanks to my sister and bro-in-law who acted as my sounding board, my editors, my support, and my insulting Kakarikans from Chapter 7. You guys are the best. :)

Anyway, I wrote this story because there is a shockingly few amount of fanfics out there that acknowledge that Sheik is Zelda. I know the issue was hotly debated for some time, but since Bill Trinen of Nintendo definitively stated that Sheik is Zelda, I consider it canon. This story was greatly inspired by Bookwrm389's "Shadow of the Hero." If you have not yet read it, I highly recommend you do! It's the best Link x Sheik (who is Zelda) fanfic out there!

Now for the belated disclaimer: Nintendo owns Zelda. I own nothing! Seriously. I live in a cardboard box, but even that is rented.

And now to bid you adieu! Thanks again for reading, and kudos to anyone who caught the Psych reference in Chapter 2.