Blinding Darkness - Zelda X Ganondorf

Chapter 22

A/N: IT'S HAPPENING, STAY CALM, IT'S ABOUT TO GET REALLY GOOD!!

I hope I'm not rushing things too much, but to dwell one more chapter would be boring.  

    Aria dismounted at the stable with her head down, not bothering to hide the Master Sword glinting on her back. What was the point? Information -- especially huge ones like this -- spread like a wildfire.

     She walked through the Castle, everyone drawing back as she passed, staring shamelessly at her, realization dawning on their faces, identical expressions of shock. Aria ignored them all.

     Her face was a hardened mask, expressionless, impassive.

     A typical Link.

     Standing at Zelda's door, she stood on tiptoe and knocked quietly.

     "Aria!" She responded immediately, flinging the door open and attacking her in a hug. "You made it safe!"

     She chuckled, her heart lightening considerably. "You sound rather surprised."

     Zelda drew back to gaze anxiously at her face. "Any injuries? What happened? Do you feel different? You're gonna have to tell me everything."

     "One thing at a time." Aria looked behind Zelda's shoulder at her room. "Mind if I come in? I'm tired."

     "Sure thing." She stepped aside and Aria entered, working hard not to show exactly how drained she was.

     The truth was, all that she wanted to do at the moment was sink into the sanctuary of dreamless sleep, to let herself fall from reality, to stop remembering.

     But this was the least that Zelda deserved. Of course.

     "It was actually kinda fun in a terrifying way." She said, one foot dangling off the edge of the bed. "There were three trials, because in Hyrule, other numbers, besides seven, I guess, don't exist. The Power one was basically me fighting my shadow. That's how I got this wound--" She shook back her sleeve to reveal the sloppily bandaged cut. "--Here. The Wisdom one was solving riddles and being cunning and stuff. The Courage one made me relive my life." She shrugged as if that was no big deal. "That's it. And now I have this beauty right here!" 

     Zelda already looks worried enough without the details, Aria thought to herself.

     "I'm so glad you're safe." She pulled away to gaze contentedly at Aria's face. "But I shouldn't have doubted."

     "Ah, so even you realize that!" Aria leaned back with the biggest grin. "C'mon, you don't gotta mother hen me anymore. You can save that for the little one. Oh, and speaking of which..." She dropped her voice to a secretive whisper. "How's the kid?"

     Zelda rested a hand on her flat stomach. "I don't feel anything out of the ordinary, but I know she's there. I suppose it's too early yet."

     "Of course." Aria jumped off the bed. "Are you going to make a formal announcement about... you know, me?"

     "I think that would be wise." Zelda sighed heavily. "Boost morale. Bring back hope. I just don't know how they'll respond. This cycle is just so different from all the others."

     All because of love.

     Zelda shrugged. "But no way am I telling them about my child." A rush of fierce protectiveness caught even herself off guard.

     "Okay, okay." Aria held up her hands. "How are you going to hide this, though? It will be trouble."

     "No matter. I'll find a way." And she would. Nobody would harm her daughter.