Hello again my friends and readers! This is my sequel and I hope you enjoy it. Provided you my feel a bit of "wtf" throughout. It's bound to be a little more light hearted than it's predecessor but I hope you will enjoy it. I don't own Zelda as you can probably guess but y'know one disclaimer per story may as well get it over with.

Anyway read on, I'm sure you'll like it.

An Angel

As told by Tzeros

Tzeros

You ever have one of those moments when the wind is just knocked out of you? Not by a punch but something like being told amazing news or seeing someone you haven't seen in forever? You hate it at first but then it become the arguably the best moment of your life. I will always look on this day with a smile on my face. Nabooru knows when I'm thinking about it and she always laughs.

"You're such a lovesick fool." She says with a laugh and a shake of her head. I can't decide if my dear cousin is more of a sister or a mother but I'd say it depends on the day. She helped me adjust to the ways of the desert. My mother left The Fortress after falling in love with a Hylian. My grandmother practically disowned her. Her wish, though, was for me to go back to my desert roots. I was surprised to be welcomed with open arms. My mother would've been happy to see how much their attitude toward the rest of the world has changed.

For Gerudo, same gender relationships are perfectly normal. I'd always considered myself something as an outcast for liking other men. We spent most of our lives far away from Hyrule and everyone pretty much had the same point of view. The Sheikah and the Gerudo did it so it must be bad. I tell you though...when I saw him...

...There was nothing wrong about it.

After staying at the compound for a year, I finally found myself falling into a nice and peaceful routine. I was on the guard and currently teaching younger children their way around a bo staff. I had just celebrated my nineteenth birthday. My housemates had gotten me drunk for the first time and I was still living down the fact that am indeed a very jovial and slightly touchy-feely drunk. I was in the middle of my shift at the post over the Sand River or "Haunted Wasteland" as outsiders called it, when Jakil and Faren, male and female respectively both of the guard, came running up to me. First they were breathless leaning on each other in an exaggerated fashion and then they saluted.

"At ease." I said peering at them a little strangely. They fell against each other again. "What are you in such a hurry to tell me? You look like you just ran to Lake Hylia and back."

"We" gasp "were" gasp "told" gasp "to tell you" gasp...this was getting a bit ridiculous.

"Is it an emergency?" Faren shook her head. "Is it important?" Jakil held up a hand indicating "kinda". I sighed in frustration. "Okay both of you sit." They obliged. I out ranked them by three seats. While I don't like bragging, for only being there a year, that was a pretty big deal. I let them catch their breath and I handed them my canteen. Between the two they drank all of it. Faren got her bearings first.

"He'va," our commanding officer, "sent us to give you a message."

"Well, I already figured that." I replied quirking an eyebrow. I was getting a little irritated.

"An ambassador from Hyrule Castle is coming." Jakil said quickly.

"Really? So soon? The free trade agreement was just passed." I said placing my zanbatou back over my shoulder. Faren shrugged.

"Princess Zelda is quicker on the uptake than her father." she replied handing me back my empty canteen. Giving a pointed stare back at her I sighed and moved up the the ladder.

"Well, I guess I should start making the necessary preparations." I said with a sigh. "It wouldn't have killed you guys to tell me earlier. Dismissed." The twins ran off and I climbed up the ladder where Ginta was at the watch tower, keeping a look out for airborne enemies. "Ginta. We have a Hylian dignitary visiting." I told her. "So lock the gate and no passage unless expressly given.

"Yes sir." She saluted me with more gusto than necessary. "Should we seal the entrance to the temple?" I figured that would be a good idea. We may have been trying to make peace with Hyrule, but even they keep their holy places out of reach from foreigners.

"Yeah go ahead and call him." Ginta put a whistle to her lips and blew a soundless call out into the sound river and kept blowing until Guide Poe Bahkram appeared.

"You blow so loud, you sting the ears! How may I be of service my beckoning peers?" I hate how that things talks. Really I do.

"We have a visitor." I said firmly. "A dignitary from Hyrule Castle."

"Ooh, an old stuffed shirt from abroad. Grant him access and I'll leave him reconsidering under the sod." Bahkram said with a gleeful flip. I grimaced.

"You'll do no such thing." I waved him of in the middle of his little aerial show. "He is not permitted to even so much as lay eyes on the Spirit Temple but if he does happen to so wander into the Sand River if guard is low, you will lead him back here. Alive. "

"No fun at the old goat's expense? With all his pretenses, it doesn't make sense. I miss the days when we wanted the Hylians to fall. You're no fun, Tzeros, no fun at all." With a disappointed huff, the poe vanished into the sandstorm beyond the gate. It was true at one point, the Gerudo and Hylians had nothing but animosity for each other. But this was a time line without Ganondorf, so the rebellion succeeded against a weaker ruler. Stay tuned on that one, that's where is gets confusing.

"Oh look, that must be him." Ginta said casually peering over the railing behind me. I turned in time to see the exact opposite of my expectations. "Wow, he's nothing like the normal council members."

This was the punch-in-the-chest moment. Even from my high vantage point, I could see Link's face clearly. At the time, I had no idea who he was. Without giving any orders, I climbed down the ladder to get a closer look with Ginta shouting behind me wondering where I was going. I felt the need to get closer to him yet unnerved by this nagging though wonderful feeling. It was like finally seeing someone special to me after years and years.

To anyone else, he wasn't really remarkable in any way. He was a little on the scrawny side. Most Hylian men were a little about six feet, he was about 5'9"...10" at the most. He was pale and had the remnants of bags under his eyes. To me, he was like an angel. I thought the King of Hyrule had sent a denizen of The Great Fairy to us instead of an ambassador. Nabooru broke every rule of public decorum when she saw him.

"Link!" She cried happily as he dismounted from his horse. She flung her arms around him. She stepped back to look at him. "Lady of the Sand, boy, you haven't grown an inch!" She smacked him on his back so hard, he almost fell over. She ruffled his hair and she found herself getting sentimental. "You look...better." She said quietly. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Link gave her a small smile.

"I found m-my way home." He replied. Nabooru kissed his cheek and wrapped an arm around him leading him into the main compound. I stood slack jawed and dizzy with happy confusion. I didn't know what I was feeling but I loved it. I wanted to chase after him. Deep down, I knew him. We'd been connected somehow. I just knew it. I searched my memory for anything, trying to recall where I knew him from. My family had traveled so many places...I was bound to have seen him. Why else would I feel this way? Unfortunately digging through my memories only had me asking more questions: I've heard of it, but I've never set foot in the Water Temple .

I was well out of peripheral range of his eyes but I could tell he felt it too. He even stopped and looked around for a moment. Before I could even decided whether to duck and run or speak up, He'va grabbed me and smacked me on the back of my head. What is it with women and hitting?

"Why are you just standing there, boy? Who told you to leave your post?" She said. She grabbed my ear and twisted it roughly forcing a squawk of pain from me. "Answer wisely." She made it sound like she was going to kill me or something. She wouldn't kill me but she could make me wish she had. She twisted my ear one more time before I could reply.

"Is it a crime to greet the ambassador?" My voice must've climbed a good octave.

"No, but it is a crime to abandon your post just to stare at him." She finally let me up and I took a moment to nurse my burning ear.

"Was I that obvious?" I asked sheepishly. Commander He'va replied with only a look and it just made me feel worse. She laughed at my reaction. At first, I wondered if she was reminiscing about younger days. I imagine she was much nicer back then.

From that moment on, Link possessed my thoughts. We hadn't even spoken to each other yet. I wasn't expecting to see Link for the remainder of his stay. Though he was young, I assumed he was trained by the usual stuffed-shirts of Hylian Nobility. I figured he would stay in his quarters and eat alone only to later insist to Nabooru that he wasn't being rude he simply wasn't used to such a lively crowd. Like our old allies, the Gorons, everyone in the fortress eats together. It's widely believed in our culture that people bond best over a meal. I haven't ever seen proof to the contrary. Music comes with a meal in Gerudo Fortress and that normally leads to dancing depending on your mood or how drunk you are.

After my shift, I bathed and joined Ginta, Faren and Jakil at the fire. The prayer hadn't been made yet so we had to wait for Nabooru to give the blessing. Ginta was the first to pick up on my brooding. I was still trying to remember where I saw Link before all I got were flashes of blue walls and a blue light, a fairy, flying around my head. Amid my brain-wraking, I noticed a rise in conversation and found Nabooru crossing into The Circle and to everyone's pleasant surprise, Link had joined her. It seemed like Hyrule was really trying this time and it seemed he fit right in. Nabooru had him sit right next to her. I noticed other people around the circle seemed to recognize him.

"My children." Nabooru said holding up a hand to quiet the general conversation. "Let us give thanks for our the food we are about to receive..." she held out that same hand to Link. "...and the return of our very dear friend, Link." We all placed our hands on the ground and bowed giving a silent prayer of thanks. I spared my religious respect to glance at Link. I was surprised to find him bowing as well. He was definitely different from the others. Obviously many people already knew him, they were shaking hands and giving hugs. So I proceeded to engage in the highly inappropriate practice of being nosy as hell.

Kol is one step under Nabooru when it comes to diplomatic matters. He's probably the single most charismatic man in any political situation and the only person to ever beat me in an even match in hand-to-hand combat. Besides Nabooru, he's one of my closest friends. I was considerate enough to wait until Kol had finished eating but determined enough to jump him the minute he got to his feet.

"Do you need something...?" Kol asked noting my uncharacteristic behavior with a puzzled frown.

"I just have a question, that's all." I was trying way too hard to play it cool and Kol instantly picked up on it.

"What's with you? Is everything okay?" He asked ushering me away from the bulk of the crowd.

"I'm...not sure yet." I confessed dejectedly scratching my head.

"Is it about Link?" He asked eying me strangely. His accuracy was perplexing to say the least.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Something Nabooru said. That's all." Just as I was about to ask what she said, he spoke again. "You weren't here yet when he came to us looking for someone who didn't have a name. He was short...well...he's still short. He was really quiet. He couldn't have been older than twelve but there was obviously wrong with him, if you know what I mean."

"You mean...a trauma or something?"

"Yeah, definitely." Kol replied nodding. "I dunno now though...he looks better, I guess. To be honest, Nabooru didn't even think was going to come back to Hyrule." I found myself smiling in spite of myself.

"I'm glad he did." I said before I could stop myself. Once again, my attraction to men was no secret. Kol's impassive glance went to a frown.

"You just want to get in bed with him." He replied crossing his arms irritably. Angry that he would even suggest I'd risk an international incident to get some action, I punched him in the shoulder a little roughly than I probably should've. "Ow! Goddess! I was kidding!"

"No you weren't." I muttered, still a little pissed. Kol just rubbed his shoulder muttering that I was too sensitive. Yeah. Whatever. With my information in hand, I planned to go back and not end up literally running into Link just as he was being goaded into dancing. But I did and I even grabbed him before he fell.

The punch-in-the-chest hit us both with amplified force. Just as I went to apologize, we made eye contact. He gasped, I would've too if I could breathe. For a second, all I could see was his eyes. His eyes were so gray they looked blue...or maybe the blue was finding it's way through all the gray clouds like the sky after a storm. He tried to speak but couldn't, he suddenly placed a hand on my face as if to make sure I was real.

"Link..." The name came out of my mouth before I could even think of something that made sense. His eyes somehow grew even wider at the sound of it. Tears appeared in the corners of his eyes. He stepped back when I stepped forward. I was still holding on to him. My mind went blank for a split second and suddenly I found our lips pressed together. He kissed me. Not just a peck either. My body didn't seem to want to take orders at the moment and I kissed back. For a few fleeting moments, I was completely euphoric. Then I came to my senses and I pulled him off of me more roughly than I had intended. "Wh...what...?" I tried to ask a question and I might've gotten it out had I not seen the expression of complete and utter horror cross over Link's face. He turned tail and ran back into the compound leaving me more confused than I ever thought possible. Nabooru followed after him calling his name and cursing her "bad ideas" I turned back to find everyone staring at me. After the world's worst awkward silence, Kol was the first to speak.

"What the hell was that?"

I didn't sleep that night. I tried to sort of my thoughts but they were coming too fast for me to even grab hold of them. Link filled my head and and just as the sun rose over the cliffs I came to the conclusion that I wanted nothing more than to see him one more time. But I didn't see Link for over a week and he didn't join us for dinner. Questions were thrown at me the entire time: "Why'd he kiss you?"... "Where did you know him from?" … "Did you two really have sex?" … "Why'd you kiss him back?". I had no answers and everyone thought I was just being coy. The Elders thought I had just caused an international incident. Suddenly in the early morning, Nabooru came to my door before I went on patrol.

"Tzeros, I need to speak to you." She said sounding painfully formal. I dreaded what was about to come. I swear the only thing that kept her from killing me is the fact that I'm her youngest aunt's only child. Sighing, I silently followed her through the halls and into the guest quarters. I didn't dare speak. I figured she was angry with me and we were about to discuss my punishment. When she opened the door, I was surprised to see Link stand from the chair the instant I entered the room.

"I'll leave you two alone." Nabooru said. I could feel her smiling. Link and I stood in silence for a moment.

"I'm sorry." Link said quickly. "I-I-I sh-shouldn't have I-I-I-I..." He was unbelievably flustered and he gave up on speaking all together. Somehow I was suddenly knowledgeable of his speech impediment.

"Hey, hey..." I said touching his shoulder. "Calm down..." He looked back up at me and we had one more moment of extended eye contact. Not that I minded.

"Do...Do you know me?" He asked. "Do y-y-you rem-m-member me?" Unsure of how to answer, I sighed and walked over to the window, leaning on the sill.

"I do know you. I do." I ran a hand through my hair. "But I don't remember you. I'm sorry."

"Oh." Was all Link could say before he sat back down. If words could kill, that'd be all it'd take for me to be on the ground.

"But...That doesn't mean I don't want to see you again." I said in a rush and I was back to not being able to stop myself before I spoke again. "In fact, you've been all I could think about for a week now." I walked over to him and bent down so I could see his face. He looked back up, meeting me halfway. "Can you tell me? Where do we know each other..." Suddenly a revelation hit me. "When did we know each other?"

"I don't know if it's m-my place to s-s-say." He replied uneasily. "It...could be bad." He stood to his feet and paced briefly.

"Is it bad?" I asked. He was remembering something, contemplating. "Is it something I regret?"

"You did reg-g-gret it, yes." Link replied no longer making eye contact with me.

"Did I hurt you?" I asked incredulously. Link looked back up at me and smiled. He shook his head.

"No. In fact, you did quite the opposite." Link approached me again and he looked like he wanted to kiss me. I wouldn't have resisted but he thought better of it much to my dismay. In hindsight, it was too soon. For both of us. "There will be a g-g-athering soon, a celebration, of the new tre-e-eaty." Link said. "A month from now. Will you be there?"

"Yes, he will!" Nabooru called from behind the door. I imagine that if I was pale enough, I'd be the color of a tomato. Link sure was. I shook off her interruption with a sigh before I turned back to his blushing face.

"Even if I don't remember..." I said taking his hand. "I'd like to know you...please?" He didn't respond verbally, he just hugged me. I wrapped my arms around him. I've done this before. I know I have.

But when?

Nabooru and I were the only two people who saw him off. It was only sunrise after all. He was armed with a signed draft of the trade agreement and my promise to see him again. Nabooru looked like she couldn't be happier. After Link was out of sight, I turned to her knowing she had something to do with this. She was reluctant for a moment but finally relented after I kept pestering her.

"Honestly, I have no idea where we know him from." She said shaking her head. "I just know that he used to talk in his sleep and he called out your name like he'd never see you again. It'd break your heart to hear it really. I didn't even make the connection until The King sent me that letter telling me who he was sending." She turned to me with a hand on my shoulder. "Where ever he knows you from, you meant a lot to him."

"I know I just want to know..."

"Tzeros." She said clearly before I could even start rambling. She placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. A simple gesture like the from her is surprisingly effective. "Whatever answers you need, you don't have to find out right now, just wait until you see him again."

Easier said than done.

So what do you think friends? To your liking? I realize a this is different than my previous style but I find it's perfect for the story. As always please review as much as I love the faves and alerts, I love the reviews. I really want to know what you guys think. Anyway I love you all and thank you for reading.

-East

Next: Link returns to the castle gets in an argument, learns to dance and then does both at the same time.