Story: Attached (chapter 12)

Authors: Grain

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Chapter 12

Title: Harbingers

"Samus... mm." Zelda rolled over and put her arms around... "Samus?"

She sat up in bed, she was alone.

"Samus... where...?"

Zelda climbed out of bet and looked around her room.

"Samus? Are you here?"

The door was still barred from the inside, so she couldn't have gone out. '...then where?'

Zelda checked the balcony then looked in her closet, exhausting the last places she could have been without having left entirely.

'Did she leave in the middle of the night?' She felt her heart drop right out of her chest.

'No! She promised! She promised!'

Was it all a dream then?

"No." She started to panic.

'No it can't be! She was here.'

Zelda sat down on the edge of her bed. "It was real?"

Her hand went to her lips. 'She kissed me...'

She stood up again. 'It had to have been real!'

She started pacing back and forth.

'Did she not come back at all? I couldn't have dreamed it... could I?'

The worry and doubt from the night before came rushing back. She continued pacing, feeling like she was about to cry.

She looked around frantically for some sign, some clue as to what happened. Was Samus really here or not? In a last act of desperation she actually looked under her bed.

"Uggg," she groaned in a mix of frustration and anxiety.

"Zelda, what's wrong?" She heard a familiar voice from behind her, muffled and electronic sounding. She was speaking with her armor on.

Zelda spun around to see Samus hopping down from the railing of the balcony again, her armor in the midst of dissolving.

"Samus!" Zelda ran to her and hugged her, nearly tackling her. "Where did you go?" she said punching Samus in the shoulder several times out of frustration. "Where did you go?"

"Zelda..."

"You weren't here when I woke up... I didn't know where you were... I thought... I thought you left me again, or... or all of last night was just a dream."

"Oh... Zelda, sorry. I just needed to get some things... You were asleep... I thought I shouldn't disturb you."

"Some things?"

Samus shrugged her shoulders indicating she was holding something in each hand. Zelda pulled back a little and looked down. Samus was holding her duffle bag in one hand and her leather jacket in the other.

"I just ran back to the arena where my ship is. If I'm gonna' be staying a while I at least need a change of clothes."

"Staying..." Zelda's expression softened, she smiled and retightened her embrace on Samus.

"Yeah, I said I would. Didn't mean to worry you. Sorry."

"No, it's alright. I guess I was just-- I overreacted a little. I'm still feeling pretty vulnerable after everything that happened... Goddesses, I sound so needy lately. I've been smothering you... Sorry."

"No, Zelda," Samus shook her head. "I don't mind that. I'm not..." Samus paused and looked at her inquisitively "You... you mind it though, don't you? You want to be stronger... more independent. But then, because you care for me you want me to be around and then you feel weak and needy. I make you feel weak. I'm sorry. Should I--"

"Samus, no ...You're over thinking things." Zelda shook her head. "I... Well, it doesn't feel bad needing you; just the opposite. I just thought it would bother you that I'm always trying to hold on to you. That's the only reason I said anything."

"It doesn't." Samus said and shook her head. "It doesn't bother me."

"Well if it doesn't bother you and it doesn't bother me, then there is no reason for either of us--"

Zelda was cut off by a loud knocking on her door. Her advisor, Gaebora, had problems with her sleeping late, and judging by the angle of the sunlight coming in through the balcony it could no longer be considered early.

"You gonna' answer that?" Samus asked, pulling a way from the hug.

Zelda suddenly realized that if Gaebora came in here and saw a complete stranger in her room his reaction would be bad. He was exceedingly protective and it wasn't beyond him to completely overreact. He might even have her arrested and imprisoned.

"Oh! Samus! Uh... um... Hide!"

"Hide?"

"Uh... no don't hide. I mean... he'll react badly to you being here... just uh... Ugh..." She looked around the room frantically. The knocking at the door got more vigorous.

"Oh!" Zelda exclaimed in frustration then went over to the door. She slid the bar off and slowly opened it.

"Gaebora... um--"

"Your highness it's already half past ten, you can't sleep the day-- who the... GUARDS!" the chief advisor shouted upon seeing Samus standing there.

"No..." Zelda held her hands up waving them in front of her. "Its alright...she's not--"

Four men in armor with spears in hand instantly arrived in the hall behind him.

"No, Gaebora. It's ok. She's... a guest in this castle. Send the guards away."

"A guest?" he scoffed in disbelief as he pushed his way into the room, eyeing Samus suspiciously.

Samus was now standing beside the bed with her arms folded, scowling back at him; she instantly didn't like this guy.

"Who are you, what are you doing here?" he snapped at her. She just glared, here eyes narrowing even more.

"I told you... Samus is a guest here." Zelda said running up beside him.

"Yes, But why is she in you're bed room?"

"Does it matter?" Zelda snapped at him, but then immediately looked like she regretted it "Uh... Please, I expect her to be afforded every respect I receive," she said timidly, drastically changing her tone of voice.

He studied both of them with great suspicion for a short while before dismissing the guards with a single wave of his hand.

"Humph... keep your guards if you want. They're not a threat to me..."

"Samus! You behave too."

"Fine." She sighed in annoyance and turned her back to him. To a warrior this is a sign of disrespect to an adversary. It indicates that the warrior considers their opponent weak and insignificant and non-threatening. Walking away to the far end of the room, she proceeded to pace back and forth, shooting dirty looks to Gaebora every so often.

"Listen... we have some things to talk about." Zelda spoke to her advisor

"Yes, your highness. We most certainly do." He said glaring at Samus.

"Not about Samus... official things."

"What 'official' things." He said sarcastically. He'd never heard her willingly bring up business.

"Well... I... I have terrible news... Link..." Zelda choked back the lump in her throat. "Link has fallen."

"What?" this finally shocked his attention away from Samus. Samus as well stopped pacing when she heard this, and looked softly to Zelda.

"The hero has perished!? This can not be!"

"Yes... it... It is true."

"How has this happened?"

"He... he died trying to save my life." She said sadly. Samus now looked away as a wave of guilt came over her.

"I see..."

"We... need to issue a proper decree to inform the people."

"Yes, of course princess. I'll see to it immediately."

"Also... I think... Should there be a memorial service? ...I think there should... Yes," She said while nodding. "Could you..."

"Right, yes. That's a splendid idea. I'll have something organized in a few days time. Say... the morning of the Festival."

"In the morning...? That'll be fine. I'd like it to be before the festival, thank you. I ...I should probably say something."

"I'll have Medorreil write a short speech..."

"No!" she said sharply as was her first impulse. But again she changed her tune immediately. "I mean... I'll write it," she said meekly. This time Samus took notice of this somewhat peculiar behavior

"Your highness, there's no need to concern yourself with such a trivial matter--"

"He's not trivial! ...Uh... that is... I want to... I want to write it myself," said Zelda. Again Samus observed the odd and abrupt change in her tone.

"Hmm... very well, as you wish."

"Thank you. Now there's one other matter. We will be going out this morning--"

"Out? Where?"

"Uh... There's someone I have to tell... about Link."

"Your highness, we're already going to issue a decree--"

"No, she shouldn't find out like that. Not like that... they were... I must tell her in person. I have to."

"Very well, if it's that important I'll prepare your traveling convoy, and..."

"But... I don't want it to seem official... all those people... I can't tell her like that...in front of them. She was his... they... It should just be me there. It's going to be difficult enough already... uh, for her. She doesn't need to be a spectacle."

"Princess, please, we've discussed this. You simply can't go running off anywhere you please all on your own. Such irresponsible behavior cannot continue."

"But I--"

"No. You are not a child any longer. You will be queen soon and you must start behaving like one."

"Very well... but... please make it a small convoy."

"Of course, your highness. I'll shall return and inform you when they will be ready to leave." With that he bowed and left, but not before shooting Samus another suspicious look.

"Right..." She sighed.

Samus studied her, puzzled by the exchange between Zelda and her advisor. She didn't seem like her usual self just then. Samus wondered if that was normal between them.

"Zelda?" Samus approached. "What was that?"

"N-Nothing..."

"It wasn't nothing, why'd you let that guy tell you what to do?"

"He's my advisor. It's what he's supposed to do."

"That wasn't advice. He was giving you orders; telling you to do things you don't want."

"I... I just... It's fine, don't worry about it."

"It's not fine! You don't want to take all those officials with you. You wanted to go by yourself, right?"

"Yes..."

"So... just do that. To get what you want you got to take it."

"..."

"Look... when he comes back just tell him you're going without the convoy."

"Uh..." Zelda looked like she wanted to say something, but she only kept quiet.

"What's wrong?" Samus said after a short while.

Zelda hesitated to answer. "It's just... uh... I..."

"Zelda, what...? Tell me."

Just then the door opened again as Gaebora returned. "We are preparing your traveling party as we speak. They'll be ready to leave in a few--" he began to say. Zelda looked to Samus as he spoke, Samus nodded at her.

"Don't..." She said in a timid voice, cutting him off.

"What was that, princess?"

"Don't umm… don't bother with the convoy ...we ...we're going out, just me and Samus…by ourselves."

"Ugh, your highness, we settled this I thought."

"Yes, but I... well..."

"It's perilous for you to go out by yourself."

"I won't be by myself, Samus will be there. And... I can take care of myself."

"Her? Princess that's hardly sufficient--"

"It is... besides I... I don't believe that's the reason you don't want me to go out on my own."

"Not the reason? Your highness, you don't even realize your reckless behavior has consequences. Had you not been gallivanting about, Link would not have been killed..."

"Uh!" His words echoed what she had been feeling and cut her right to the bone. Zelda staggered back and sat on her bed.

Samus looked to Zelda to see the horrified expression on her face, then looked back to him. He had gone too far with that comment. "Get the hell out." She snarled at him.

"Huh?"

"You can't say things like that to her! Now get the hell out before I beat the shit out of you." She said as she marched up to him and then shoved him back towards the door.

"How-- How dare you!"

"Get out!" she shouted and shoved him again, pushing him out into the hall where he stumbled and fell. She closed the door and barred it shut. She then turned to face Zelda, who looked awful. Samus went over to her, knelt down, and placed her hand on her knee.

"Hey, you alright? Don't listen to him--"

"He was right." Zelda said quietly.

"No... Zelda, he wasn't."

"But if I hadn't gone to that place... If I hadn't made Link take me there..."

"Stop it. It's not your fault. You had no way of knowing what was going to happen. Don't blame yourself... If you have to blame someone... blame me."

"I couldn't do that."

"Then blame the Space Pirates. Blame Ridley."

"I couldn't even do anything to help... I just stood there."

"Zelda..." Samus said shaking her head.

"What was the point of all that training, I couldn't even put it to use when it mattered. I'm terrible; completely useless."

"That's not true..."

"If only I had been a little better, a little faster, maybe he wouldn't have--"

"Zelda don't. Don't do this to yourself. There's nothing different you could have done. You were put in an extremely difficult situation with only one day of training. You performed remarkably."

Zelda raised her eyes to meet Samus', looking sullen. Samus put her hand on Zelda's shoulder and gave her a soft smile.

"These things happen... sometimes, and... there's nothing we can do about them. So... don't blame yourself," she said clumsily, searching for the right words. "Ok? I... I don't like it when you're sad."

Zelda gave Samus a half smile, then hugged her. "Thanks." She whispered.

"Mm-hmm..." Samus hugged her back. "You gonna' be ok?"

"Mmm..." Zelda nodded

"Hmm... I pushed him, will that be alright?" Samus said.

"He'll be upset, though... heh... I should have pushed him myself."

"Oh, yeah, sorry. I... I wasn't thinking. I should have let you..."

"No, that's alright... you did the right thing. Thanks for sticking up for me."

Samus half smiled and nodded. "I don't like the way he talks to you."

"I know. You really are looking out for me. Thanks. But... It's alright. You don't have to worry about it. Lets- lets just go. Ok?"

"Just go?"

"Yes, ignore Gaebora and just leave. I don't want to argue with him anyway. It's easier to tune him out."

"Ha! Now you're talking."

Samus got to her feet and pulled Zelda up with her. When they opened the door Gaebora was standing there waiting with a hand full of castle guards.

"Your highness this woman can not be permitted to stay here." He spoke sternly. "She's violent, she assaulted me. Who knows what she may do next."

"Keep provoking me and you'll find out."

"Samus!" Zelda said, "Don't provoke him either."

"Guards, take her away."

"No! I said she is my guest."

The guards stood by with confused looks on their faces, not sure what to do in the face of conflicting orders.

"Your highness, please listen to reason--"

"I don't want to. Come on Samus." Zelda grabbed Samus by the hand and started off down the hall.

"Uh... ok." Samus said getting dragged along.

Gaebora pursued them, begging the princess to stop her foolishness, but she only quickened her pace, eventually breaking into a run. They reached the end of the hall and Zelda climbed up on to the window ledge.

"Zelda what are you doing."

"It's a shortcut, come up here."

Samus climbed up and then saw that they were four stories up and there was no ledge outside the window.

"You're not planning on jumping!?"

"No." Zelda then hugged Samus tightly. She stared at a spot on the ground and focused on it. They were both surrounded by magical energies and in an instant Samus found herself standing on the ground below with Zelda.

"What was that!?" Samus said, shocked and confused.

"A teleportation spell."

"I... didn't know you could do that."

"Well it's not easy, and it only works over short distances with a direct line of sight."

"You know if we had jumped I could have caught you."

Zelda smiled and laughed. She found Samus' need to sound tough exceedingly adorable. But she would never tell her that as it would likely have the opposite effect of what was intended. "Ok, I'll keep that in mind for next time. Now let's get to the stables before they come down here."

"Stables?"

------

"Hello? Is anyone in here?" Zelda called out as she entered the stables.

"Yeah, yeah. Hold your horses. Ha ha ha, get it... Oh! Princess! Forgive me, I wasn't aware it was you." Came the reply from the stable master.

"Oh it's ok. That was pretty funny actually." Though it wasn't really ok with her; not that he joked, but that he felt he needed to behave differently when he realized it was her. "May we have two horses please?" She said, hiding her discontent.

"Yes. Right away, your highness."

Samus eyed the animals curiously as the stable master led them out by the reigns. Zelda immediately climbed up and mounted the horse.

"Won't this be fun, Samus? I always enjoy riding... uh Samus?"

Samus was standing there still looking over the horse.

"What's wrong?"

"I... don't know how. I've never ridden a horse before."

"Oh. Well... you can ride with me then." She smiled at Samus then spoke to the stable master. "It seems we'll only need one horse then."

The stable master nodded and led the second animal off.

"Is that alight? The horse can take two?"

"Of course. Now climb up here."

Samus climbed up on the steed and sat behind Zelda.

"I can't believe you've never ridden a horse before."

"I have my own spaceship, a horse isn't much use."

"Oh. But they aren't just for transportation you know, just riding can be fun."

"I guess..."

"Well shall we go then?"

"Lead the way."

Zelda rode the horse off the castle grounds and out into the rolling countryside. As she cleared the gates she whipped the reins and the horse broke into a gallop. They wildly bounced up and down on the horses back. Samus desperately searched the saddle for something to hold onto.

"Zelda! Slow down. I feel like I'm going to fall off; there's no handles or anything."

Zelda smiled. "So... hold on to me."

"Uh ...right." Samus said as she wrapped her arms around Zelda's waist. Zelda smiled again and sighed softly. "Hmm? You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Samus asked suspiciously.

"You caught me." She said with a giggle. "I guess not knowing how to ride wasn't such a bad thing after all."

"Hmm... no, it wasn't."

They rode a while longer in silence. Samus took the time to observe the country side. She wasn't used to seeing such pristine untouched nature. Most worlds in her universe that were this nice were heavily populated and modernized, and most of the untouched ones were barren and hostile. This was different... and nice... and not just the scenery. Hugging her from behind, Samus leaned her face against the back of Zelda's head. She inhaled deeply taking in the sweet aroma of her hair. Gingerly, she placed kisses along Zelda's neck and behind her ear.

Zelda sighed softly and smiled, enjoying the affectionate attention she was receiving from Samus.

"It bothered you, what that guy said before?" Samus finally spoke after a long silence.

"Huh? The stable master?"

"Yeah. How he changed his attitude when he saw it was you."

"You could tell, huh? ...I'm used to it."

"But it still bothered you."

"Yeah..."

"That kind of thing happens a lot?"

"Yes. It happens all the time... But..." Zelda sighed happily and took one of Samus' hands in hers. "That's one of the reasons why I love you so; the way you act towards me... not regarding me as royalty, ever. I can feel like a regular person."

"Its no big deal, you make it sound like I make an effort to be that way. It's just how I am."

"I know. All the better; your behavior is genuine. It is how you are, and I love you for how you are."

"Mmm..." Samus sighed softly, she couldn't help from blushing.

------

The red headed farm girl placed another log on the chopping block, lifted her ax, and brought it down on the piece of timber, splitting it in two. She placed the smaller pieces in a neat pile and then readied another log, and repeated. When she was finished she took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, then wiped the sweat from her brow. Her father was supposed to have done this, but his lazy ass was probably sleeping as usual, so she had to pick up his slack.

'He's such a terrible parent, what kind of example is he setting for me. I should lecture him about it later.'

It was then that she noticed a rider approaching. Was it him!? Her heart quickened and her face brightened at the thought of seeing her 'fairy boy' again. But as they got closer she could see it wasn't, and there were in fact two riders on the one horse. One she recognized but the other was a stranger to her.

"Princess Zelda!" She ran up to them excitedly. "It's good to see you again your highness." she said with a curtsy.

"It's good to see you too, Malon. It's been a while, hasn't it?" Zelda said while dismounting.

"Yeah, several months. Oh... hello." She said to Samus.

"Uh, hey." Samus said with a nod.

"Oh, Malon, this is Samus. She's my uh... she's with me." Zelda said uneasily, still unsure how to classify her relationship with Samus.

"It's nice to meet you." She said with a smile. "Well, your highness, to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"

Straight to the point "Uhh..." Zelda sighed, she was hoping to have avoided the subject for as long as possible. "Well... is there some place we can sit and talk?"

"Oh yes, right over here."

Malon led them towards a bench near the entrance of the horse corral. As they walked, Samus followed a few paces behind them; Malon glanced back at her.

"She seems a little strange." She whispered to Zelda.

"Well she's from... pretty far away."

"Oh... well you make a cute couple anyway."

"Uh! ...How... how did you know, that... that..."

"That you were gay."

"Yes. I... I didn't even know until recently. I didn't even know what that meant until recently... How could you have?" Zelda questioned. Were such things common knowledge? Was she really that sheltered?

"It was pretty obvious."

"How so?"

"Well... You seem oblivious to how good Link looks; when we first met you congratulated him on what a fine catch I was instead of the other way around; and on top of that you were completely checking me out."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean you were staring at my chest every time you spoke to me."

"I was not... Uh!" Zelda stopped, they had come to the bench. Why couldn't it have been ten miles away? She wished she could have continued that conversation indefinitely, but now... Why did she have to do this to the poor girl? She seems so happy right now. Maybe she just wouldn't tell her. 'Just make up some excuse as to why I'm here.' No. No that wouldn't accomplish anything. Malon would find out eventually, It might as well be from her, now. But why did she have to be the one to...

"Princess?"

"Huh..."

"What did you want to talk about?"

"Uh... lets sit." They did and Zelda continued. "Well, you see... I... I have some rather bad news..."

"Oh..." Malon's smile faded.

"See, um... Link is... well he..." Malon's expression now became extremely worried.

"The thing is..." Zelda continued, "I was in some trouble, serious trouble. And Link, being how he is, came to help me...and... well, he... he didn't make it back..."

"...No..." Malon whimpered under her breath.

"He didn't survive."

"...no... no..." She shook her head violently as tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"No...He can't... its not, that's not right... I still-- I have to... I have to tell him..." she spoke frantically. The pain was evident on her face; her brow furrowed, her lips curled back and quivered when she spoke, and her nostrils flared.

"Malon, I'm so sorry."

"No... he's not... you bring him back... I have to tell him." She was gasping for breath between her words.

"Malon, I'm sorry... He can't come back."

"He has to... he's... how am I... what am I supposed to... who-- who's going to... he's not..." The rest of what ever she was trying to say became incoherent as she tried unsuccessfully to fight off her tears. She tried speaking more but only managed to choke herself on her words.

Zelda placed an arm around her shoulders. "It's ok to cry... you don't have to fight it."

Malon looked at her desperately and only resisted a moment longer before she finally broke down sobbing. She buried her face in her hands and her chest heaved uncontrollably. Zelda pulled her close, but she ended up falling over, laying across Zelda's lap.

Malon sobbed heavily and loudly. "No..." she wailed long and shrill, her voice wavering as she trailed off.

Samus stood a short distance away watching the scene, observing Malon's reaction with a bit of morbid curiosity. She had never seen someone react so tremendously, so emotionally, to another person's death. Zelda had cried, but nothing like this. It looked like the girl was in physical pain. Why was her reaction so severe?

"Malon! Malon, what happened? Are you hurt? Malon?" came the voice of Malon's father, Talon. The man came running out of the farmhouse looking around frantically. He ran up when he saw them. "Oh! Your highness... what... why are you here."

"Dad!" Malon jumped up and hugged her father and continued to cry uncontrollably.

"Malon? Malon, what is it... Uh, your highness? I don't understand. What happened? What's wrong with my little girl?"

"She's... she lost someone important to her... uh, Link... the legendary hero... he... well he... died, and..." Zelda trailed off uncomfortably. Samus noticed that she looked a bit shaken up now as well. She really hoped Zelda didn't start crying too.

"Oh... that boy that would come by every so often? He's gone?" Talon hugged his daughter tight. "I'm so sorry, Malon."

"She... just needs a little time I think." Zelda said.

"It's quite alright your highness. I'm very sorry for troubling you. You needn't stay any longer. Thank you for coming by, though."

"Oh it's no trouble. We can stay a while longer."

"Oh, nonsense. I'm sure your highness has more pressing matters than to waste time in such a filthy place as this. Besides Malon and I need to get back to work soon, There's nothing more for you to do here."

"You're going to make her work?"

"Well, I'll give her a moment, of course. But the work can't go undone." Malon pulled her head away from her father's chest and looked up at him with distraught eyes. "I'm sorry honey, but you know the farm isn't doing to well right now. Even one missed day and we could go under."

"Oh. Then, we... we can stay and help. Right?" Zelda looked to Samus, who just shrugged.

"Oh no, I couldn't possibly ask a princess--"

"You're not asking, I was offering."

"But I simply couldn't... it wouldn't be right--"

"I'll do it then." Samus interjected into the conversation. They both looked at her. "I'm no princess, so you should have no problem with it, right? Besides I have worked on a farm before."

Zelda looked at her smiling brightly. "Thank you," she mouthed the words.

"So it's settled then?" She then said to Talon.

"If... if it's what your highness wishes, I can't object."

"It is."

He glanced at Samus then shrugged. "Wait here and I'll find what needs to be done." Talon then led his daughter off to the farmhouse, still crying. Zelda turned to Samus with a soft smile. "Thanks for that, Samus."

Samus opened her mouth to speak but Zelda cut her off. "I know, I know; 'It was nothing.' But still, I really appreciate it." Zelda then hugged her quickly. "I'm going to go tend to Malon, I'll see you later."

Samus nodded then Zelda turned and went off in the direction of the farmhouse. "Uh! Zelda!"

"Yes?"

"Areyou alright?"

"Mm-Hmm." She nodded with a smile.

"Ok, because...I mean, I'll be right here if... you know, you... need me for anything." Samus said clumsily.

"Samus...You're really sweet. You know that? ...I'll see you later. Ok?"

"Ok."

And with that Zelda took her leave and went in side. A short while later Talon came out and gave Samus a series of chores that needed to be done. He said to cut the grass behind the horse pen, make sure the cows had food and water, there was a ton of hay that needed to be bailed, and to finish chopping the fire wood that 'Malon was supposed' to do. Samus sighed, what had she gotten herself into? No, it's ok. If Zelda wanted it she would do it.

She went off in search of water to give to the cows which, as it turned out, she had to pump herself. Not only that, the water pump was at one end of the field and the barn where the cows were was at the other, and she had one lousy bucket to carry the water in so many trips would be required.

'Well I guess it'll be good exercise.'

------

"Malon?" Zelda knocked on the door to her room. "Malon, will you come out and talk?" No answer.

The front door opened and Talon returned from giving Samus her chores.

"Princess, really this isn't necessary. You don't have to bother yourself with commoners like us, really."

"Oh it's quite alright. I don't mind the company of commoners at all."

"But you've done more than enough already. Coming here personally to inform my daughter, you don't need to do any more."

"I don't need to, I want to... it's... it's partially my fault Link died. I... owe her more. If I can help ease her suffering, then I'll stay here and do whatever I can."

"Well... Thanks for looking out for her then... I guess I should clean this place up a bit... it's terribly unfit for royalty. I didn't know we would have company, forgive me."

"Oh. No, it's perfectly alright; don't bother on my account... Anyway... Malon won't come out of her room. You're her father, what do you suggest?"

"Leave her be? She's a stubborn one, that girl." He shrugged and went off to start cleaning despite Zelda discouraging him to do so.

"Well that won't do," she said to herself. She went up to the door again. "Malon?" She knocked once more. "Look I just want to talk. I'm coming in, alright?" She asked softly.

She entered the room and found Malon curled up on her bed, laying on her side, staring blankly into the room. Her eyes were red and her face was stained with streaks of tears. Zelda's face fell when she saw how miserable she looked. She sat on the edge of the bed and put her hand on Malon's shoulder.

"It's ok, Malon, Everything's going to be ok..."

Malon shot her a disagreeable glance.

"No... that's not right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't say things that aren't true. It really isn't ok. Is it? ...It hurts... a lot... I know."

Malon whimpered and turned her head into the bed, hiding her face in the sheets.

"You're not alone you know..." Zelda took her hand. "I... I'm hurting too."

Malon didn't respond, Zelda sighed and just sat there holding her hand for a while.

"It will get better eventually... in time it won't hurt so much."

"How would you know?" Malon snapped, her voice a harsh rasp. "Uh...sorry, your highness."

"It's alright... I do know. When... when my mother died... It felt like this then too. But after a while the pain went away. I still miss her greatly of course, but it doesn't hurt anymore... I just try to remember the good times we had together, and looking back on her now... mostly those memories bring me joy."

"It's not the same..."

"Don't say that... how is it different?"

"Parents are different... I...You always expect them to go before you... My mom died too... It's... not the same as... as this..."

"Malon..."

"Do you love her?"

"Her? Samus?" Zelda nodded. "Yes... Very much so."

"How would you feel?"

"If she... I..." Zelda considered the unthinkable. "I don't know... horrible... I can't even imagine... uh." She glanced at Malon, now understanding her point.

"See? ...It's not the same..."

------

"Ah-choo," Samus sneezed. 'I must be allergic to this damn grass,' she thought as she swung the scythe horizontally over the ground, slicing through the tall overgrowth. What a way to cut grass; this backward world didn't even have push mowers. She swung the tool back and forth, its blade making an impressive whooshing noise as it sailed through the air, cutting large swaths of grass as she progressed across the field.

It was hot, this world was currently in its summer season, the sun beat down on her and there was no breeze in the air. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then continued swinging away.

As she worked Samus' mind wandered; she thought of Malon crying earlier. She appeared to be in anguish while Zelda was merely sad about him dying. Why had she taken it so much harder? Was it because she was in love with him and Zelda wasn't?

But Zelda was in love with her. 'If I died... would Zelda be like that? That would suck. She told me... it would hurt her if anything happened to me... Maybe I should be more careful...'

No, careful meant hesitating, hesitating meant giving her enemies openings, and making mistakes. Second guessing herself would only get her killed faster.

'If Zelda died... would I...'

She pushed the unpleasant thought away and continued working.

------

"I never told him... the way I felt about him... and he never talked about himself much... So I don't know how he felt either... we never said those things to each other." Malon said as tears came to her eyes again. "I should have... I should have said... why did I wait... and now... now I'll never..." She broke down sobbing.

"Shhhh... let it all out, it's ok." Zelda hugged her tightly and held her until she settled down.

"We'll never be together again... he'll never... smile at me and hold me in his arms... Never sit and listen to me sing... Never... make love to me again. I remember... our first time; behind the stables, we did it on a bed of hay... I remember the first time he kissed me, it was only a few days before that... I remember... I remember when we first met...we were only kids then... he helped me find my father...I think he was trying to sneak into the castle--"

"Sneak into the castle? That's when... I think... I think we both met him on the same day..."

"Oh..."

"Isn't that quite the coincidence?"

"I guess..." Malon glanced down again and was quiet for a while before saying anything further. "I was always jealous of you..."

"Of me? Why?"

"I thought... the two of you... Well he just spent so much time with you, going over to the castle all the time..."

"Oh. Sorry. That was sort of my fault. I would constantly invite him over... well invite is the wrong word, more like an official summons. I just... I wanted some company."

"Oh... well it was more than that, he would always talk about you, all the time, in such glowing terms... I thought that... But when I met you I realized... well that there was no chance of you being interested in him...that made me really happy..." She sighed sadly. "I should be... All those memories, they're good memories, I should be happy... but... there's just no joy left in me..."

"Malon, he would talk about you all the time too. I think... no, I'm positive, he really loved you too."

"Mmm..." she sighed sadly "I just want to be alone now."

"Malon... uh... I'll come and check on you later."

------

"Uh... so damn hot."

Samus chopped another piece of fire wood. She had herself a small pile going. It was boring and repetitive, place a log on the block, raise axe, swing, place a log on the block, raise axe, swing... The heat and humid air suffocated her, and she dripped with sweat. 'Zelda better appreciate this.'

"Samus?" Zelda called in a sweet voice. Samus saw her coming around the corner carrying a tray of food. "I brought you something...Oh goddesses, what are you doing!? Put your clothes back on!"

Samus stood there holding an axe over her shoulder, bare-chested, in just boots and her blue shorts. Her top was left draped over a fence post.

"But it's hot."

"Someone will see you."

"And?"

"Uh! They'll see your... your breasts," she loudly whispered the last part.

"Are they some kind of secret?"

"Samus! It's called modesty." Zelda set down the food she was holding, marched over and retrieved Samus' top, and held it out for her. "Just put it back on."

"Oh, fine." Samus took the garment from her and put her arms through it then raised them over her head, and started pulling it down. With her arms raised like that her features were made clearer, highlighting her athletic form; her breasts were raised up and accentuated, the outline of her ribcage made apparent, and her flat defined abs were flexed and taut. Her entire body was dotted with beads of glistening sweat.

"Um... wait," Zelda said suddenly and sheepishly, ogling her naked form. Samus paused, her face partially covered and her arms tangled up above her head.

Zelda watched as a drop of sweat, which originated from under her chin, ran delicately down her neck, slowed as it made its way over the lump of her collar bone, then quickly down her chest and right breast. It stopped and collected under her nipple before finally breaking free and dripping to the ground.

"Zelda?"

"Uh?"

"Can I put my shirt on now? Or do you actually want me to keep it off?"

"Huh? ...uh, put... put it on."

"Really? Cause your eyes were saying something different."

"Just... just put it on." Zelda said shyly and turned her head to the side, she was blushing furiously. "I... I um, brought you some buttered bread and... um, something to drink."

Zelda retrieved the food she had set down and brought it to Samus. She took the roll of bread from Zelda and bit in half, then took the bottle of, what she assumed was milk, and chugged the entire thing all at once, and then stuffed the other half of the roll in her mouth, and gave Zelda a muffled, mouth full of food "Thanks."

Zelda sighed. "Samus, you know... you're a wonderful person most of the time, but... you really need to work on your manners." Samus just shrugged.

"So... how you doing in there?" Samus asked once she had swallowed her food.

"I don't know... she's taking it pretty hard. It doesn't seem like she's able to accept that Link is gone."

"I meant how were you doing... do you need me for anything?"

"Me? Well... I..." Zelda shrugged, then shook her head. "I'm fine. You're doing enough already."

"Ok."

Zelda went to leave, but Samus stopped her.

"Uh, Zelda, could you... uh, I mean I appreciate this but... I can't survive on just bread. Do you think you can get me some meat or something?"

"Sure. It's not my place but I'll see what I can find."

"Thanks."

------

Zelda again knocked on Malon's door. "Malon, I'm back. Are you ok in there?" Again she didn't get a response. She tried the door and found it locked. "Malon?"

"I don't want to talk any more." Malon's voice came through the door.

"Oh, that's alright. I'll be here if you change your mind though. Ok, Malon?"

No response.

"Alright then." Zelda sighed.

She then went off and found Talon. He apparently passed out while cleaning up as he was slumped over the table snoring loudly.

'He must have narcolepsy.' Zelda mused to herself.

To keep her mind off things she decided to pick up where Talon had left off cleaning the place up. And after that she thought it would be nice to cook dinner for everyone.

She went and knocked on Malon's door again. "Malon? I'm going to make dinner. What do you like?"

"I don't care." Came her weak reply through the door.

Samus had said she wanted meat, perhaps she should make a roast. "Is roast beef ok?"

"...not hungry." Her voice was barely audible.

"Oh... alright..." Zelda sighed in frustration, but she couldn't really blame the girl.

Talon wouldn't wake up no matter what she tried and Malon, she thought, should be left alone for now, so she had to find everything on her own.

------

Samus worked in the barn, collecting piles of hay into bails. One by one she tied up a bail, and then tossed each one up into the loft above the cows, stacking them neatly. The sun had just gone down, the sky was turning orange, and the light was fading.

"Samus!" she heard Zelda calling. "You've worked enough today! Come eat!"

'That's a relief.' She put down what she was doing and marched off to the farmhouse.

Inside she found Zelda and Talon sitting at the table and Malon on her way down the steps. Malon walked up slowly with a blank expression on her face and sat at the end of the table. Samus sat down across from Zelda and Talon was seated at the end across from Malon. Zelda removed the lids from the serving dishes revealing a roast, mashed potatoes, and steamed carrots.

"I hope you all enjoy." Zelda said cheerfully.

"You're highness, really, this was not necessary," said Talon.

"Nonsense, it's like I told you before; I'll do anything I can to help out."

Samus wasted no time in heaping large portions onto her plate, as did Talon but not quite as aggressively. Zelda helped herself to, what she considered reasonable portions of food, while Malon just stared blankly at the table.

"Malon, would you like some? ...Maybe just a little?" Zelda took it upon herself to put a small amount of food on Malon's plate and then set the dish in front of her. "Here." Malon silently accepted the plate and only picked at it.

Zelda glanced over to see Samus shoveling food into her mouth and then swallowing, hardly chewing at all.

"Samus! Manners." Zelda scolded her. Samus grumbled and ate slower.

A long uncomfortable silence prevailed as the four ate their dinner. Zelda tried to spark conversation a couple times, but Malon's mood seemed to be infecting everyone at the table.

Malon pushed the food around her plate with her fork, while only occasionally taking a bite. "Can... can I be excused?" Malon asked flatly, finally breaking the long silence, her dinner only half eaten.

"What? Malon, don't be rude. The princess went through the trouble of making us this lovely dinner. Show some respect."

"No, honestly, it's alright. Malon you can go if you want," Zelda said.

Quietly Malon got up and went out side. Zelda sighed, disappointed. 'She could at least make an effort,' she thought. But she still understood Malon's feelings and couldn't fault her. Dinner continued on in silence.

"You gonna finish this?" said Samus, while in the process of taking the last few slices of roast, stabbing them with her fork, which she then quickly wolfed down. She then stood from the table then stretched and yawned. She grabbed her drink and went for the door. "I'm going out for a bit." She said and exited.

"Alright." Zelda called after her.

Talon began clearing the table, but Zelda jumped in as well. "I'll help with that... and no arguments."

"Uh, yes your highness, of course not."

"Though... I've done all this for you today, you could do something for me."

"Yes, of course, anything," Talon said eagerly.

"Let me know how she's doing; keep me informed... If she needs to talk or anything else... don't hesitate to send word to me."

------

Samus stepped out on to the small porch with her drink in hand. The heat of the day had faded and she breathed in the cool night air. The stars were out and she could hear crickets chirping in the field. This was drastically dissimilar from what she was used to. Most of the time when she experienced the outdoors it was from within her armor, and was usually a lot more inhospitable than this environment. Other than that, it was the cold interior of ships for her. This was a nice change she thought. She leaned against the side of the house and took a sip from her cup.

She then heard a soft whimper in the darkness. Looking up she saw Malon walking by, though she was walking so slowly she was hardly moving. She looked almost like she was lost and didn't know where to go, staring blankly in front of her.

"Hey," Samus called out.

"Huh? Oh... it's you... Sa-- Samus..."

"Yeah."

"Right..." Malon stopped and sat on the single step leading up to the porch. Samus walked over and stood near her with her arms resting on the railing. "You...You're Princess Zelda's mistress."

"Mistress...?" Samus thought it an odd choice of words but it was essentially correct. "It's that obvious?"

"Yeah... Well with her at least... You... you're just strange all together."

"No argument there." Samus shrugged.

Malon looked at her feet and sighed heavily.

"So...you and Link... you were... You loved him?"

"Uh- yeah... I did," she said in a sorrowful tone.

"You seem so miserable because of it."

"I'm miserable because he's gone!"

"I mean if you hadn't loved him, you wouldn't feel so bad right now. Right?"

"Uhhg... I guess..."

"Hmm... I thought love was supposed to just be this good feeling... but... it means pain as well... probably other things too.It seems to be a bit more complex than I thought."

"..."

"Would you say it was worth it?"

"What?"

"If you could, would you choose not to love him so it wouldn't hurt like this now?"

"How... how could you even ask me something like that?"

"Sorry... I... I'm just going through some weird stuff right now... Would you want to see him again?"

"Uh... but..."

"Not really see him, just an image."

"Y- yes..." she said meekly.

With a flash that briefly illuminated the darkness Samus activated her armor. Malon was noticeably alarmed at the transformation.

"What... What is this?"

Samus pulled her helmet off and sat down next to Malon on the step.

"Magic?" she asked nervously.

"Not exactly...but I guess you could call it that if you want."

She turned the helmet over and set it in her lap. Staring at it, it rapidly flipped through various menus and settings as Samus' eyes darted back and forth over the interior of the visor. It was operated by her eye movement; even if it wasn't on her head, as long as it had a clear line of sight to her eyes and could track their movements, she could operate it. Finally an image appeared on the screen; a barren rocky wasteland. She handed the helmet to Malon and the image began moving and sound played as well. It was a recording of Samus and Link on the way to save Zelda from Ridley, taken from Samus' point of view.

She held the upturned headgear in front of her looking at the inside of the visor as the recording played out. Malon's eyes lit up when she saw him again and the corners of her mouth turned upward, not quite a smile but it was something. She heard his voice too; though it wasn't sweet and soft like when he spoke to her; he was talking business, he had a job to do, she understood that, but it was still his voice none the less. The screen lingered on him for a short while and she touched his image with the tips of her fingers, tears rolled down her cheeks as she watched.

The image changed suddenly and Malon saw the two of them fighting against some monsters that she didn't recognize as native to Hyrule. She watched as they fought their way through hordes of them. Then she saw the princess there as well. Samus' vision turned away from Link and focused up a tunnel, and she was urging Zelda to go up it. When the video finally swung back around to Link the playback stopped moving and Samus took hold of the helmet.

"Wait, why did it stop? I want to see more."

"You don't need to see what happens next."

"Is that when... when he...?"

"You... shouldn't."

"Please... I- I want to see... I need to... Please, make it move again."

Samus released her grip on the helmet and signaled it to continue playing. Malon watched intently. She winced and shuddered when it happened, then turned her head away.

Malon held the helmet at arms length; Samus took it and put it back on. She then dematerialized the armor, and slipped its storage unit back into her pocket.

"Thank you." Malon said as she buried her face in her hands and started crying openly.

Samus watched her as she cried. She didn't know what to do and it was making her very uncomfortable. Should she just get up and leave her alone, or say something? But what? Samus opened her mouth to speak but couldn't. The things she'd say to Zelda when she cried wouldn't be appropriate to say to Malon. Or at least she didn't feel comfortable saying them to someone besides Zelda. She reached out, but stopped and let her hand fall back to her lap, but then tried again and managed to finally put a hesitant hand on Malon's shoulder.

Zelda rested with her arms folded on the windowsill. She watched the entire scene unfold and smiled softly at Samus.

------

"Well goodnight to you both." Zelda said with a bow. The four of them were standing just out side the house.

"It was an honor having you visit, your highness." Talon said politely. "Isn't that right Malon?"

"Uh... yes..."

"Listen, Malon, we'll be having a memorial service the morning of the summer festival. I'll reserve a seat for you and your father right up front, alright." Zelda said.

"Thank you very much your highness, we'll be there." Talon said respectfully.

"Malon..." Zelda said up beat, "Be well. Ok?"

"Alright..." Malon managed with a nod.

Talon took his daughter inside leaving Samus and Zelda alone.

"Quite a day it's been, hasn't it, Samus?"

"Easy for you to say, you didn't have to work in that heat."

Zelda smiled and sighed. "I... think she'll be ok. Don't you?"

"Uh... Zelda... not every one gets over these things. Sometimes... sometimes it stays with you... for a long time."

"Oh... Samus... did all this remind you of you're loss? I'm sorry... I--"

"No... I don't need something like this to remind me. I... " Samus paused and shook her head. "Let's get going. Alright?"

Zelda nodded understandingly, Samus didn't want to talk about it, and she would respect that. "Alright. Lets go."

Zelda walked up to her horse and was about to climb on, but she stopped and turned to Samus.

"Samus, why don't you take the reigns."

"Oh," she said shaking her head, "I don't know how to ride."

"Come on, it's the easiest thing in the world. I'll show you."

And so they mounted the horse, Samus first and then Zelda climbed on behind her.

"Now take the reigns. It's really simple. Just pull in the direction you want the horse to turn, left or right. Pull straight back to stop. To go you can either whip the reigns or nudge the horse in the sides with your feet."

"You sure about this?"

"It'll be fine... Here." Zelda slid her arms around Samus and took her by the hands. She whipped the reigns and the horse started walking and she guided it out of the front gate. "See?" She said softly.

"Ok, I think I got it, you can let go now. I'll take over."

"Hmm... maybe I don't want to let go." Zelda said as she gave Samus' hands a squeeze.

Samus responded in kind. She felt a strange sense of tranquility come over her. This was nice; very serene, soft, and calming. There was just something about the whole situation that made Samus feel very sentimental, which she wasn't accustom to in the slightest. Perhaps this place really was getting to her, maybe it was like Zelda said, because she found herself forgetting about her job, her responsibilities, and her excruciating life as a bounty hunter, even if just for this moment.

Zelda was fairly quiet the entire time as she rode with her hands pressed against Samus' back and her head resting on her shoulder. Late that night as they drew nearer the castle, Samus questioned her about it.

"Zelda... You're more quiet than usual. You asleep?"

"No... just thinking..."

"Malon?"

"Mm... not really..."

"Link then?"

She was quiet for a bit before answering "Yeah..."

"You ok?

"I will be... Thanks for coming today... I don't think I could have managed without you."

"I didn't really do anything, just worked in the fields."

"Just being there was enough... Having you close, well it... makes things easier for me."

Samus closed her eyes and reached up to her shoulder and touched Zelda's head. She didn't know why, but now every time Zelda said things like that she got a warm tingling sensation that would swell up in her chest. She didn't understand it, but she knew it felt good, and for now that was enough; understanding wasn't necessary.

------

As they entered the castle again, they were immediately greeted by Gaebora on their way up the stairs from the main hall. He looked angry but it didn't come across in his voice.

"Your highness, thank the goddesses you have returned safely."

"Gaebora, we were... not in any danger." Zelda said timidly.

"None that you are aware of. Threats to the crown come from many unexpected places," he said glancing at Samus. "What am I going to do with you? This misbehavior can not continue. You are a member of the royal family... you are the royal family. Conduct such as this is unacceptable."

"It's fine... I- I don't care about that." She looked away.

"Don't care!? What do I need to do to make you see the utter foolishness of your actions?" He said now letting his anger show. Zelda visibly recoiled. "If you insist on acting like a child, perhaps I should treat you..."

Samus stepped in between the two, glaring at Gaebora. "You need to watch how you speak to her."

Zelda grabbed on to her arm. "Samus, no. It's ok... don't..."

"Perhaps she is right. I spoke too rashly. Please forgive me your highness. It's late and everyone is tired, we shall continue this conversation in the morning."

"Uh... alright."

"As a proper guest of the princess you should have every amenity affordable," he spoke to Samus. "I have prepared one of the guest rooms for you. So you won't have to share a room with the princess any longer."

"Ok, thank you Gaebora," Zelda said hastily, before Samus had a chance to respond. She grabbed Samus by the arm and started down the hall.

"Your highness, the guest rooms are this way."

"I...I know... we're going to stay up and talk some. ...Samus will be along later," she said hesitantly. "Come on, Samus."

"Hmm..." Gaebora glared suspiciously after them as they walked away.

Samus observed her curiously as they walked. As it had happened earlier that day, Zelda's demeanor changed around him, becoming very timid. It seamed to Samus that she didn't want to blatantly contradict him.

"Zelda, what was that about back there? You're different when he's around. Are... are you scared of him?"

"What? ...scared? No, it's... not that... it's nothing really. Nothing at all."

"It is something. But... it's fine if you don't want to tell me."

"I- ugh..."

"Hey, it's alright... Forget I said anything."

"Uh... ok..." Zelda said as they entered her room.

Samus sat down on the bed while Zelda went into her walk-in closet to change.

"So... what did you want to talk about?" Samus asked when Zelda came back out, dressed in a nightgown.

"What? Oh, nothing really..."

"Oh... well, alright. I guess I should go off to bed then. I'll see you in the morning?"

"Uh, wait. Samus, stay here."

"But... the guest room, I thought... You said it was alright..."

"I just didn't want to argue with Gaebora. Stay... please."

Samus shrugged. "Yeah, alright," she said, but again wondered why she didn't want to argue with him. She got up and went over to the closet and retrieved some clothing from her bag, the usual T-shirt and panties she wore to sleep. Then she climbed into the bed and Zelda snuggled up against her.

"I was really proud of you today," Zelda sighed softly.

"For what?"

"You did a good thing. I saw you with Malon after dinner... that was really nice what you did for her."

"Yeah, I guess." Samus said a bit dismissively.

"Ha! So you admit you were wrong then?"

"About what?"

"I'm not the only person you're nice to."

"Uh!"

"There is a human heart beating in there after all."

Samus started blushing. "I was just... cause I thought you would want me to... it's not a big deal."

"Nope, you weren't even thinking about me at all. You were just being nice."

"Was not..." Samus turned her head to the side, pouting.

Zelda looked lovingly at her and kissed her on the cheek while caressing her face. Samus turned her head and kissed Zelda briefly on the lips and smiled.

"Zelda... uh... you want to?"

"Want to...Oh! Well I um, I... I would, but I mean... it's been an exhausting day for me. Can we just... could you just lay here and hold me?"

"Oh... yeah, ok," Samus said. Zelda detected certain disappointment in her voice.

"I'm sorry. I'm just... not up to it right now."

"It's fine, don't worry about it. I can lay here and hold all you want."

"Thanks." Zelda sighed softly. She rested her head on Samus' chest and closed her eyes as Samus held her.

They laid there in silence for quite some time. Samus' thoughts dwelled on the interaction between Zelda and Gaebora earlier. The way he treated Zelda frustrated Samus, especially because that was the quintessence of the treatment Zelda loathed most. It baffled her why Zelda didn't object to it in the slightest. She felt certain something was wrong. Zelda's seemed timid or even frightened of him, though she had said that she wasn't. Samus now wanted to talk to Zelda about it, but was hesitant to do so since Zelda seemed so uncomfortable when questioned about it earlier, and now was sorry she had let it drop so quickly.

"When did you ever work on a farm?" Zelda asked suddenly, but softly.

"Huh?" Samus said confused and a bit startled, she thought Zelda had gone to sleep. "Oh... when I was a kid."

"With... with your parents?" Zelda said delicately, sensitive about bringing up the subject of Samus' parents.

"No, after that... The people that adopted me, the Chozo. It was with them."

"I see..." Zelda yawned and snuggled closer to her.

"Yeah, even though they were a highly advanced alien species, they still chose to live an agrarian life style, growing all their own food them selves."

"What's that mean?"

"Agrarian means that--"

"I know what that means. I was asking about those other words you used. 'Alien species', what's that?"

"Alien? It's something from another planet, a different species"

"Like the Goron or the Zora?"

"Well if they're from another planet, then yes they would be aliens, otherwise, not."

"Oh... That's right. I keep forgetting... people from your dimension can..." Zelda paused to yawn again, "...can travel between the stars. What's that like?"

"Space travel? Boring. Very, very boring."

"Oh. Even so, I'd like to experience that someday," Zelda said drowsily.

"You already did."

"Well ...without being kidnapped."

"Hmm..." Samus sighed sleepily and hugged Zelda tight. "I'll take you someday." She whispered.

Zelda closed her eyes while smiling softly, and drifted off to sleep.

------

She ran through the streets as the fire rained down all around her. She tried unsuccessfully to mentally block out all the screaming. There was an explosion from behind and she was thrown to the ground, yet landed on something soft... a person... a dead body. She picked herself up and continued on as fast as her tiny legs would carry her.

"Mama? Mama where are you?" She called out frantically, practically crying.

She turned the corner and then saw her; her mother running towards her. But in that instant she was filled with terror, for she knew what was going to happen next. She knew, and she was powerless to stop it. Yet that didn't stop her from trying, desperately trying to save her mothers life, to prevent the inevitable if only by sheer force of will, because that was all she had at her disposal. Though all the while she knew it wouldn't be enough.

She screamed out. "Go back..." But couldn't be heard, her little voice was too weak amongst the chaos.

Her mother drew closer. "No, don't come over here." Yet she kept coming.

"No!" she screamed a hundred times over. "Run away!"

She could sense it coming as it had happened a thousand times over, and could now almost physically feel it.

"Mama, no! Run!"

Here it came. She screamed at the top of her lungs, a hi-pitch blood curdling scream, trying to ward off her mothers doom, as if the sound itself would drive away the implement of her destruction.

...but it didn't...

Everything played out exactly as it had the first time and every subsequent time there after; the unknown weapon striking her mother, her horrific scream, and the vivid, gory aftermath. It made her feel sick, giving her a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach. It felt like she was falling, tumbling terrifyingly out of control, and suddenly the world came undone, dissolved away completely. She was in a different place all together and was left shaking like a frightened mouse.

Even though she was awake she was still not completely conscious; trapped in a fear induced trance. Her eyes darted around the dark corners of the room; every shadow a dark abomination poised to lash out and strike at her, every little sound a hidden horror creeping along the floor to get her.

'It's not real,' she reasoned with herself, she knew it was all in her mind. But reason was no match for the sense of terror that overwhelmed her. She felt so shaken up and vulnerable, like she would be attacked from all sides at once, and had no means of defense; no armor, no canon, no escape and no refuge.

She was only half aware of the gentle arms that enveloped her from behind and the soft soothing voice blowing across her ear. A voice but no words... singing... the voice was singing, humming a peaceful tune. The arms slowly swayed her back and forth. Gradually, the shadowed abominations receded and the creeping terrors evaporated into nothing, and her frightened shuddering subsided.

"What's that song," Samus finally said after a long while, "it's nice."

"Something that's been passed down in my family for many generations. My mother used to sing it to me when I couldn't sleep."

"I like it. Would you... sing it some more?"

Zelda nodded then laid down pulling Samus on top of her. She hugged Samus tight as she sung softy. The soothing melody relaxed Samus, and she drifted in and out of consciousness; not really asleep yet not quite awake either.

"Will this ever get any easier?" Samus finally spoke.

"I... I don't know."

Samus sighed.

"You can overcome it... I just know you can."

"It's been over twenty years, and it still haunts me."

"You're strong, the strongest person I know. You will if you try hard enough."

"I'm really not. I act tough, but... I'm not... It's just a façade. It's not the real me... On the inside, I'm the weakest person in the world... frightened, insecure, I just... I feel so small." She sounded like she would almost cry.

These were not things she would ever tell just anybody, things she wouldn't likely even admit to herself. Samus was being very open and honest with her right now. It was a fact that wasn't lost on Zelda.

"You are strong. I know this because I never see you brake."

"I don’t break because I'm already broken." Samus paused, taking a deep breath. "All that... that confidence, that... all of what you perceive as strength, it's artificial... it doesn't come from inside me, it's just something I do, something I manufacture... a defense I put up just to make it through the day."

"No... Samus. You're wrong. We all have things that make us feel smal

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