Security.

Trust.

"I'm sorry about this but it's the only way out," Link apologized as Zelda looked between him and the window, "Now I can either lower you down by your arms and let you jump down first, or I'll jump down first and I'll catch you? Whatever we do, we have to be quick."

Zelda looked horrified at the prospect of jumping. They may have been only on the second floor but she had never been good with heights. Though her heart was pounding from fear already from the oncoming attackers, Zelda tried her best to control her fear at the idea of jumping.

Though she had always been good at faking her mood, Link had always been able to read her like a book, as if she were glass. Still anxious about getting her to safety, Link's voice softened for her benifit as he took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"I'll go first then. I'll catch you, I promise," He all but whispered, "You just have to trust me."

With that, he gave her a small smile before he turned to the window. He opened it as wide as it could go and climbed out onto the ornamental ledge which was just about big enough for him to balance upon.

He would be lying if he said that we wasn't scared at that moment. He was about to fall two stories down into a courtyard which was dimly lit at night with oncoming assassins hot on their heels. As much as his brain told him to stop and think it through, he knew that if he hesitated, Zelda would be even more doubtful so he swallowed his fear and jumped.

His landing was less than graceful.

"Gah!" Link exclaimed as he hit the ground hard, his legs giving way and he toppled over onto his knees and chest.

"Link?!" Zelda hissed cautiously but nonetheless concerned at his outburst of pain.

"I'm ok!" Link lied as he jumped back to his feet, smoothing down his suit and trying his best to ignore the throbbing in his ankle where he had undoubtedly injured it.

He did a quick once over of the courtyard, checking to see if the coast was still clear after his outburst. Turning back to Zelda, who was beginning to climb out the window, and held up his arms, ready to catch her.

She stood on the ledge, clinging onto the window frame, obviously terrified and rooted to the spot.

"I'll catch you! I promise, Zelda!" Link implored.

Taking one last deep breath, Zelda bit her lip to swallow any screams. She looked down at Link, arms outstretched and a warm, comforting look in his eyes. Finally, she jumped, only a small terrified squeak escaping her lips as she plummeted.

Though she knew Link would catch her, she fenced nonetheless, flinching and closing her eyes shut as she saw the ground get nearer. The wind rushed around her for only a few seconds but for her, it felt like an eternity. She was waiting for the crushing force of her legs against the ground, but instead, softness.

It had only just registered in her mind that she had stopped falling when she felt Link's breath on her face. He was stumbling back a bit but he ultimately steadied himself. Zelda could feel his strong arms around her middle, holding her up from the ground.

Opening her eyes, Zelda found herself staring right into Link's eyes. She had never been this close to him, she didn't know what to do. Even in the dim light, she could see his deep blue eyes which she had never seen so close; they were like sapphires. In the few seconds it took her to recover her senses, Link lowered her back to her feet.

"I told you I would catch you," Link gave her a warm smile, "Nothing hurt?"

"Oh, no. I'm fine." Zelda finally came back to reality when she realised Link was asking if she was hurt.

"Good. Now, it won't take your assassins long to realise you are not in your suite. And once they see the open window, it's a giveaway. I doubt after that they will keep up their quiet; they're armed with guns, they will use them. We need to find a way out of the Palace but the thing is, they've got control of the security cameras."

"Something possitive, please?" Zelda joked but the worry in her voice was evident.

Before Link could answer, they could hear something coming from the open window of Zelda's suite. It sounded unnervingly like the door being broken down. Knowing they didn't have a lot of time left, Link grabbed Zelda's hands and started off towards the trees and flower bushes in the middle of the courtyard.

Zelda struggled to keep up with him but she held onto his hand and ran as fast as she could. The branches snagged at their clothes but they didn't stop until they were deep enough in the foliage to provide some cover and shelter. It wasn't the best place to hide but they were in the dark so it would last for now but Link knew that the courtyard would likely be swarmed soon.

"What about the other officials?" Zelda gasped, now remembering that many embassadors had stayed at the Palace, "By the Goddesses, I hope they're ok."

"They're probably in their suites, being held as political prisoners." Link answered truthfully, no way to sugarcoat.

"Can't we radio for help?" Zelda asked, "Get the Hyrulian Army down here?"

"They've cut off the radio," Link sighed, not liking their long list of things they didn't have, "No radio, no backup, no way out, cameras searching for us, only a few rounds of ammo and half a Palace to get through before he even reach the front gates. Brilliant!"

"Still waiting on that possitive thing," Zelda was no longer joking, she didn't like their chances, just the two of them, especially when Link was the one trained for this and she was not.

"Right, we can't stay here long. You're not going to like this plan but you're just going to have to trust me again," Link sighed, rubbing his temples in irritation.

"As long as you always catch me, I will always trust you."

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