A/N: Well here it is: the last chapter! This story has come to its end sadly. I really want to thank all you viewers and readers because without you, this story would have never made it this far. Thank you so much for giving this story attention and your constant reviews!

Heroic Assassin

Chapter 17

The tavern is full of men consulting, drinking, card playing; it's nearly full, but I'm able to find a seat over in a corner and order myself a mug of cider. The bar is only dimly lit by lanterns adorning the low ceiling, giving it a hazy sort of look to it. If I really wanted to, I could go join the group of card players and gamble all their money from them, but I'm not in the gambling mood. Tapping my fingers on the round wooden table, I wait impatiently for my drink to arrive and am left with my thoughts to ponder upon. Termina isn't nearly a dreadful place than I had originally thought it to be, it's given me chance to start over with my life since there is no one here who knows me to accuse, let alone remind me of my faults and crimes, although people around here are coming to recognize me as a different person all together. They call me a Hero here, journeying to distant areas to cure them of the darkness shrouding them.

Reaching into my pouch, I pull out a crude drawing of a map of Termina, spreading it out on the table to examine it. Clocktown sits in the center, surrounded by four regions with different landscapes. Woodfall to the south was once a polluted swamp full of Deku Scrubs as inhabitants, but after quickly finding the problem and ridding the swamp of it, the poisonous water was cleansed. Of course it wasn't cleaned in an instant, no it took months to dilute the poison from the water. That took just about two years, but in the end, the Deku Scrubs were awarded clean water once again and I was granted to come and go as I pleased, which I have done quite often.

From there I traveled back north a bit to arrive a Romani Ranch where I met Romani herself and her older sister, Cremia. Both were sweet and caring girls who offered to stable Epona whenever I needed to. Romani told me stories of aliens having a reoccurring appearance at their ranch to abduct their cows and was wondering if I could take care of the problem. I thought nothing of it and waited one night for the arrival of these so called 'aliens.' I was startled to find that the little girl's imagination was not just that. The aliens resembled Poes in my mind, and after quickly mounting Epona to shoot them down with arrows, Romani rewarded me with a hug and much praise, and from Cremia, free entrance to their father's bar in Clocktown. That was one adventure I would never forget and from then on out, I would not doubt a child's imagination again.

My waitress arrives with my cider and I thank her for it kindly, paying her fifteen rupees and a five rupee tip. She bows her head with a muted thank you and then scurries off to attend other customers. I take a sip of my drink, letting it refresh my parched throat before setting the mug down and surveying the map once again.

Traveling west I thought I'd be able to relax at Great Bay and enjoy the scenery. The beach was deserted and when I talked with some of the locals they informed me that pirates often came ashore and raided the houses. Of course I couldn't just push that aside, so I scouted the area and ended up having to go in search of the Zoras for more advice. I found them in the Zoras Hall by diving deep with the Zora scale I had obtained many years ago. Zora Hall was, needless to say, hectic. The band, The Indigo-Go's, was missing the voice of their lead singer, Lulu. Mikau, their guitarist, told me the pirates had stolen Lulu's eggs and that's when her voice died off as well. After getting the location of their hideout, I snuffed out the pirates and found half of the eggs. The other half were sitting at the bottom of Pinnacle Rock. Following a golden, glowing seahorse in murky water really tested my swimming abilities, but I was finally able to recover the last three eggs and return them to Lulu. Toto, the band manager and owner, allowed me to listen to them rehearse and attend the concert they were holding in Clocktown free of charge. I was water logged for weeks after that and overall it took me months to clear the Great Bay Coast situation and that was just with the Zoras. The pirates took another two months to settle their differences.

I wash that memory away with another gulp of cider, coming to the present again to study the map. Where to next? I could go north to the Mountain Village and further onto Snowpeak, but the cold isn't very appealing to me. Ikana Valley is said to house the spirits of a long forgotten kingdom. That's a very definite option for me to investigate, but these past few days I've been dead tired. Anju worries about me not getting enough sleep and now I'm agreeing with her. Maybe I should relax for a couple of months and catch up on my sleep before setting out on another adventure. Thinking of Anju and Kafei back at the Stockpot Inn doesn't appeal to me either. Being a newlywed couple all they're doing is ogling each other and, though I'm very happy for them, can't help feeling sick to my stomach watching them love each other. Anju, being the kind soul she is, rented me out a room in her inn to house in whenever I'm back in Clocktown, which has been quite often recently. Her and Kafei both pry me for details on my love life, but I tell them I've already lost my chances with love, leaving them behind in Hyrule to be married off to another man.

The waitress comes around again to refill my mug and I pay her another five rupees, giving her my thanks silently. The tavern has thinned out now, leaving me and a few others to drink themselves sick.

Cheers to that.

"Did ya hear?" My long, pointed, Hylian ears pick up the voice of a burly man seated at the table next to mine, his deep baritone voice hard to ignore.

"No, what?" His scrawny friend asks curiously, already interested despite not knowing what the topic is. I roll my eyes at them; just a bunch of gossip, no doubt.

"The queen of Hyrule declined another suitor," The first man says. I almost spit out the cider I had just taken into my mouth at the mention of the queen. I end up coughing anyway, drawing attention to me by just about everyone in the bar.

"You aw'right there, buddy?" The muscular man asks, raising a bushy eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, I'm...fine. Just went...down the...the wrong way," I wheeze out between coughs. The man shrugs and goes back to conversing with his companion, leaving me to my coughing fit. The waitress comes back over to check up on me, probably checking if I'll croak and she'll have to deal with a dead body. I wave her off, taking a tentative sip at my cider again to relieve myself. The two men beside me have caught my attention with their conversation and I listen in attentively, making it look like I'm studying my map at the same time.

"What does that make now? Fifteen?" The skinny man asks.

"Aye, I'm surprised the council has let her go on this long without a husband, let alone a king. The council members are worried that the throne won't have an heir, since the queen is nearing thirty," The bigger man replies, bringing his own mug up for a drink as my ears soak in the information.

"Rumor has it she's gone into depression and won't even come out of the castle anymore," The second man puts out there suddenly, a bit randomly.

"Yeah? And where did you hear that bullshit from?"

"From a close friend of mine who happens to stand guard in the castle. He said she told the council members that she's waiting for someone to return," Scrawny man mutters matter of fact.

"And then what?"

"And then she'll marry."

Din, Nayru, Farore...I drop my head in my hands and groan, feeling myself teeter in my chair. I can feel the gazes of the two men on me and before they become too suspicious, I gather up my belongings and rush out into the brisk night air.

Dear Goddesses...she's waiting...for me! Why would she wait this long? It's been nine years since my exile from Hyrule. Nine years, she's waited for nine long years...but I was only exiled for seven. Realization dawns on me and I mentally kick myself. I was gone nine years, that's two years too long! For all I know, she's given up hope. The men in the tavern just said she declined her fifteenth suitor, but that could have been falsely dated. Who knows how long it's been since her latest rejection.

Well, there's only one way to find out. Running through the side streets, I make it to the Stockpot Inn and rush up to the makeshift stable Kafei made for Epona. I saddle her up quickly, trying to recall if there is anything in my room I may need or want. Then I remember that I really have no belongings and mount Epona, leaning forward to pat her strong neck.

"Come on, Epona, we're going home," I whisper to my chestnut mare and dig my heels into her sides, sending her into a sprint. She neighs loudly, as if saying:

Finally.

XXXXXXXXX

I shut the doors to my room and let out a deep sigh, leaning against the wooden frame. The past few days have been tiring, but today proved to be downright exhausting.

I look towards my balcony doors, noticing that one is slightly ajar, the drapes billowing in the late night breeze. I don't recall opening them, but I stride over regardless. I'm just about to close them when I hear commotion from below. I step out onto the balcony and look down. There's a carriage waiting in the castle grounds and my latest suitor is stomping up to it. Despite myself, I laugh at his outrage. The prince is shouting, making it easy for me to hear his every word.

"She's mental! She's a crazy queen! I don't know how this kingdom is still standing with her running it!"

I roll my eyes. Typical prince talk. I stand up straight and cross my arms before addressing him.

"Hyrule is still standing because she's not ruled by a dignitary like you, Prince Durrell." The prince whirls at my voice, his eyes widening.

"Your Majesty, I didn't see you there—"

"Save it, Durrell. I don't need to hear you're excuses, but I'm so glad I got to see this side of you." My smile is fake, superficial, mocking. "Do have a safe trip back to Westfall."

And with that I leave the prince gaping and return to my quarters, firmly shutting the glass doors behind me. I'm not sure what made me speak out. It's not like I haven't heard the same exact words before. Each suitor I meet acts friendly when in public, but when I turn them down and they're in private, their true self shows.

I heave out another sigh and walk over to my vanity mirror. I remove the jewels adorning my fingers and look up into the mirror. In the reflection I see myself—pale features with dark circles under dull blue eyes. I unfasten the tiny circlet clasped to my forehead and when I look up into the mirror again, I'm not alone.

A dark hooded figure stands three feet back. Instead of panicking, I feign ignorance, pretending I don't see the shady character. While I'm doing that though, my hand is slowly snaking down to the hidden pocket in my dress and within the pocket, a dagger. Before I can turn and throw it at the cloaked figure, it speaks—its voice masculine and its tone unmistakable.

"You shouldn't leave your balcony doors unlocked. Someone could get in."

All previous thoughts of attacking leave my mind and the dagger is forgotten. I place my hands on the vanity tabletop, bowing my head and releasing a heavy exhale.

That voice. I haven't heard it in nine long years. I thought it gone forever. I shake my head at the implications. I've closed my heart off for nine years and no trace of emotion has graced my features. Now is no different either.

"No one in their right mind would scale the castle to get here, so I needn't worry," I say passively, wishing for this night to end. I'm just so tired and so done with all of this.

"Hmm, perhaps, but you also need more alert guards. They're horribly dense." His voice is humorous and he doesn't pick up on my exasperation.

"You need not criticize my guards. They were never taught to look up." My voice comes out sharp and my shoulders tense. I've felt so much rage over all these years, so much negativity that I can't remember the last time I genuinely smiled or laughed. Everything has been fake; I've been fake.

I turn around to face him, crossing my arms over my chest and scanning him from head to toe. Looking at him now after nine years has me seeing changes in his appearance. For one, his hair is longer and he tames it by pulling it back into a small ponytail synched at the base of his neck. His bangs hang loose and brush the sides of his angular face. He looks thicker with muscle mass and taller than me by a head.

"Why are you here, Link?" I'm surprised that his name comes easily after not uttering it for years.

"Isn't it obvious?" He sounds confused, his expression mirroring his tone of voice. He seems to finally notice my cold demeanor. I face my vanity again to finish divesting myself of unwanted necessities like the heavy jeweled necklace weighing down my neck. As I'm reaching up to remove the pins in my hair, Link speaks again.

"I've heard rumors that you're not yet married."

"Your rumors speak the truth. I have not found an eligible suitor, or king for that matter, to ascend the throne and rule Hyrule." With all the remaining pins removed, my hair falls in loose curls around my shoulders. Instant relief.

"I've also heard that you've rejected fifteen foreign dignitaries."

"Your rumors are a bit out of date with that one. Counting the one that just stormed off makes twenty-seven." I watch through the vanity mirror as his expression changes to one of disbelief, but he quickly regains his composure.

"Why turn down so many?"

"They only offered me jewels and dresses that I didn't need nor wanted. Not one of them gave a damn about the welfare of Hyrule and its people." One suitor in particular had not favored my rejection and refused to be denied. Considering he had everything handed to him through his years of life, it only seemed natural that he would be surprised when I said no. And of course this king, I believe he was from Labrynna, could not take no for an answer and returned multiple times, bearing different offerings every meeting.

"Or it's because you were waiting for someone." He takes a step closer, shortening his distance to me. Still reluctant to turn around, my eyes flick to his in the mirror.

"Who says I was waiting?" Averting my gaze downward so as to not let him see the lie in my eyes, I catch him taking another step towards me.

"You wouldn't reject twenty-seven suitors if you weren't, Zel."

"You left, Link." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them and I can feel my stony exterior deteriorating. His steps falter at my words.

"I had to, that was my punishment."

"Where did you go for all those years?" Another step towards me, the gap between us shortening.

"Termina. Clocktown to be more specific. I stayed at an inn there when I wasn't out purifying the land."

"Why didn't you return after your seven years were up?" Too much, I'm saying too much. I'm losing the tight hold on my emotions.

"Well for one, I was a Hero there, still am. I was looked at with reverence instead of scorn. I guess I got caught up in the splendor of it all." Yet another step and he's now standing directly behind me. I can feel his warm breath on the back of my neck, sending shivers running down my straightened spine.

"You're a Hero here, too." His arms come around me to rest on the vanity, caging me in with no means of escape.

"Maybe in another time, yes, but now…" I lift my gaze up to meet his in the mirror.

"You're my Hero, Link."

"And I wish I would have realized that before I left, but I'm here now and I plan on being the Hero you perceive me to be." All the emotions I've bottled up, all the pent up feelings, are slowly unraveling and it isn't long until I'm clutching at Link like he's my lifeline, like if I let go he'll disappear again. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him close. He's quick to reciprocate as his arms encircle me.

"I'm so sorry, Link. I never wanted your life to be like this, I didn't imagine it this way…" I cry into his shoulder, hugging him tighter.

"It could be worse," He says and I scoff.

"How could it possibly be worse?"

Instead of answering, he only buries his face into the crook of my neck, kissing it tenderly. I lose my train of thought and just relish in his affections. I regain myself quickly though and ask him again.

"Link—"

"You could have been gone," Link mutters almost inaudibly and I have to strain to hear him. I smile to myself before pulling away to look at him. His eyes have that wet shine to them from unshed tears and I smile at him brightly, brushing his loose bangs away from his face.

"But I'm not; I'm right here, Link," I say softly, taking his angular face in my hands gently. He lets out a breathy laugh and closes his eyes, his lips quirking upwards in the slightest. He leans forward to rest his forehead against mine before whispering in my mind.

I missed you so much…

Hearing his voice in my mind again after so many years is exhilarating, comforting, and I can't help the tears that fall down my cheeks. When I gaze up at his face, his feral blue eyes are staring back at me, unrelenting.

"Zelda…" He whispers heatedly, his voice on the edge of a growl. Before I can say anything, his lips are on mine, making up for lost time. His hands are in my hair, pulling me closer, molding me to his body. Link's lips are hard against mine as I reciprocate his kisses, moving my lips in sync with his. He pulls away long enough to trail heated kisses up to my ear, leaving a scorching path in his wake. His voice comes out low next to my ear.

"I'm never leaving you again. Not until death takes us both and even then I won't leave you. I will always be beside you. I love you, Zelda."

Hearing those words ignites the spark flickering in my heart, sending an inferno coursing through my entire body. I search out his lips again, molding them together. I can't get enough of him, can't get close enough. My arms fall around his shoulders and his go to my waist, lifting me up and allowing me to wrap my legs around him. I move my lips from his to give the scar near his eye feather like kisses, tracing the entire length of his scar. It's when my hands trail slowly down his muscular back that I feel him cross the threshold into my mind. I let him, knowing he's no intruder and welcome his warmth. He prods around before finding what he's searching for. Link uses a mental hand to grasp onto my emotions, selecting the ones he wants and making me feel them.

Desire.

Love.

He pulls forth so much love from the recesses of my mind, surprising me at how much I had. It's all for him, it always has been for him. I throw my head back, gasping for air as he ravishes my exposed neck with burning kisses. He doesn't back down for one moment, instead he conjures up an image in his mind and sends it to mine. I watch behind my closed eyelids the image of the two of us together, entangled in my bed's sheets, clothes strewn about the room, caressing each other. The moan that crawls up my throat and escapes my lips is all me and I have to shut him out of my mind to think straight again. I look down at him, at the glint in his eyes and the canine grin forming on his face.

"How did you do that?" I ask, knowing for a fact that I've never felt that way ever in my life.

"I like to experiment," Link says simply.

"Not with other women I hope." I level my gaze at him, but he merely laughs.

"Of course not. I only did it when the opportunity presented itself and I didn't command the same emotions either. That was exclusively for you," He murmurs the last part huskily. I feel him try to gain access to my mind again, but I firmly lock him out.

"Did I do something wrong?" He asks meekly. I shake my head, dropping back down to solid ground.

"No, everything was perfect. I just need to think without you in my head." Link chuckles and pushes stray strands of hair behind my ears, framing my face in his gentle hands. His finger travels down my jawline until coming to a stop at my chin, which he tilts up to capture my lips once again. My mental walls crumble under his intoxicating heat and he's in my mind again, showing me image after countless image. I regain focus and push him out, mock glaring at him.

"Quit being so manipulative."

"I'm not being manipulative. I'm only bringing forth what you want."

"Then you should know what I want above everything else. What I've wanted for a while," I say seriously, all joking set aside. I look at him, at his eyes, and wait for the recognition to show in his features. Instead of saying it, he sends more images at me, slower this time, so I can make sense of them. I close my eyes and watch.

There's a picture of us standing at an altar, exchanging vows as we become man and wife.

A picture of me as queen with Link at my side as my king, as Hyrule's king.

A picture of me holding a bundle of blankets in my arms, holding our child as Link stands behind me, gazing over my shoulder with a warm smile. A quick flash and I see us posing for a family portrait later in the future when our child is older.

At my thought of family, I felt longing radiate from Link. It was so strong that I had to shut him out again, putting an end to the slide show. When I open my eyes, tears are streaming down my face. All he's ever wanted in life was a family and I'll be damned if I can't give him one. He must have seen my silent pledge in my eyes, because he smiles and encompasses me in a tight embrace.

"Every one of those images is the truth, Zelda. I can't and won't lie to you, not anymore. I want to stay by your side for eternity. I want to grow old with you, to love you every day of your life. That is, if you'll have me." I pull back to gaze at his face now streaked with a few tears of his own.

"Do you think I'm going to let you go after witnessing all of that? Of course I'll marry you; I did wait for you, after all."

"I knew it!" He says triumphantly, laughing heartedly as he picks me up to twirl me around. His knees hit the end of my bed and we fall onto it, our legs dangling over the edge. We lay in compatible silence, relishing in each other's company.

"Your hair is longer," I comment lazily, playing with his small ponytail.

"I can cut it if you don't like it."

"I never said that I don't like it. I think it makes you look sexy."

"Then it will stay."

Silence descends between us again and my mind travels to much deeper thoughts than hairstyles.

"I was afraid since your seven years were up and you still hadn't returned that you were never coming back," I duck my head, avoiding eye contact, "and you had a good enough reason not to come back. What I did to your life was inexcusable."

"I'll always come back, Zelda. I only acted cold and distant that day because I thought it would be easier on you after I left. I thought perhaps seeing me like that would expel me from you thoughts, but apparently it didn't work. It only seemed to make it worse." He lifts my chin up with a single finger, offering me no escape from his riveting gaze.

"Why didn't you come back right away?"

He doesn't answer immediately. He ponders my question, most likely searching for an excuse that will work. But he surprises me with his answer.

"Would you believe me if I said I lost track of time?" I stare at him, assessing his words and then letting out a genuine laugh as I can't hold it back any longer.

"Well, that's ironic. You're supposed be the master of time."

"Termina is a weird place in terms of time. Almost like it's in a different time dimension or something." He shrugs and flips onto his back so he's staring at the ceiling.

"Tell me about Termina. What did you do there?" I truly wanted to know. Despite being queen and having to maintain civil contact with Hyrule's bordering countries, I've never traveled to said countries. I've never been outside of Hyrule and I desperately want to change that.

"That's a long story."

"We have time."

Without further convincing, Link begins his long tale of his time in Termina, describing everything in great detail. He talks of icy mountains that are the complete opposite of Death Mountain and the ocean that stretches out farther than Lake Hylia. He tells me about the people he met there and how they offered him a place to stay right in the heart of Clocktown.

Link is just finishing telling me about his time in a poisoned swamp when I happen to take notice of the fading darkness. The sky outside my balcony is brightening, changing the inky midnight blue to a lighter one with a purple hue. With the sunrise comes the shift of guard patrols, substituting the night shift group with the day.

Link doesn't miss my distraction as I had been so raptured by his reminiscing.

"What is it?"

"It's dawn; you've kept me up all night with your stories," I sigh and reluctantly rise from my bed and my comfortable position next to Link, "and no matter how sneaky you are, you won't get by my guards in broad daylight."

"Maybe you should stay in bed all day and take a small reprieve." He pats the spot I just vacated, tempting me.

"I can't just drop everything on a whim."

"Why not? Seems like a good idea to me."

"I'll need quite a lot of convincing." Link rises to his feet and comes to stand toe to toe with me, smirking down at me.

"I think I can do that." His voice is low as he raises his eyebrows suggestively and I hit him on the shoulder. I shake my head, imagining what the maids and castle workers would think if they saw Link emerge from my bedroom.

"No, you will come back tomorrow through the front doors like a normal person," I say lightly, turning him towards the balcony.

"Won't your councilmen freak out if they see me?" He asks, glancing over his shoulder to look at me.

"I've appointed new council members; they're kind of long distance and not always here, but they won't mind, trust me." I think of Impa and the rest of the Sages when I called them together for a meeting four years after I had reclaimed my throne, asking them if they would mind if I appointed them as councilmembers to my court as to have representatives from each race residing in Hyrule. They all accepted without hesitation.

"Really? Well then, I'd better make a good first impression on them. Perhaps announce myself as a suitor for the queen of Hyrule?" He turns to face me once we're out on the balcony, smirking down at me as a slight breeze ruffles his loose bangs.

"Do whatever you wish, just as long as you come back." His features soften at my words and he envelops me in a hug.

"I'm not leaving you again, Zelda."

"I didn't mean to imply—"

"I know." I relax in his arms, breathing in the musky scent that is all his own.

The sun is rising across Hyrule Field, peaking up over the treetops outlining the borders of Hyrule. Link spins me around in his grasp, wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on the top of my head. As the sun lifts higher in the sky I feel its warmth on my skin and feel at ease wrapped in Link's arms. Link lowers his head so he's right by my ear.

"I love you, Zelda."

And I know without a doubt that his feelings are true, as are mine.

"I love you, too. Forever."

A/N: That ending though :P Anyway I will see you with my next story! It'll probably be a one-shot. I've got a lot of drabbles that could be finished now. Until next time!