6 Hidden

In which Sheik's identity is revealed.

"Zelda, is that you?" came a feminine voice from down the corridor.

"Mother?" Sheik asked, propping herself up. The tears returned to her eyes. "Father? Are you okay?"

"Yes!" the voice said. "We're both here. Oh, we're so glad to hear your voice."

"Me too," Sheik said.

"How did Ganondorf find you?" the voice asked.

"We tried attacking him," Sheik said sadly.

"You and Impa? Alone?"

"No, with the hero. But… there were too many soldiers. We were no match."

"The hero…? You mean…?"

"Yes, Mother," Sheik said, looking at Link again. This time she smiled, but it was a sad smile. "He's here too."

Excited whispers filled the dungeon. "The hero is here?" "Will we be freed?"

"Does that mean there's a plan to get us out of here?" the voice asked.

Sheik hesitated, a questioning look in her eyes. Link shook his head.

"N-o," Sheik answered.

There was silence.

"We'll figure something out," Sheik said hastily.

"I hope so, my daughter," the voice said quietly, "for your sake. Ganondorf is cruel."

"Erm, if I may," Dad interjected. "You said 'Zelda.' Am I correct in assuming you speak of the princess, and you are her mother?"

"Yes," the voice said, startled. "Are you the hero?"

"No, my son is," Dad said, giving Link an odd look. "Forgive me, but the girl you're talking to… We know her as Sheik."

The voice gasped. "Oh! Oh no… I'm sorry, Zelda dear. I should have known…"

Sheik, or Zelda, sighed. She looked at Link pleadingly, and he returned her gaze with one of confusion. Why did she look that way?

"I'm sorry for lying to you," she said.

Link shook his head fiercely. It didn't matter to him. He… he knew all along. He wished he could tell her that, but with all these people around, speaking was out of the question. But maybe if he reached for her, she would understand…

Dad touched Link's shoulder. Link dropped his hand slowly. Did she understand? Did any of them understand?

"I'm sorry, Link," Father said.

No, he didn't understand. Link shook his head again. He placed one hand over his heart and pointed at Zelda with the other. He loved her, no matter what her name was. Couldn't Dad see?

Dad furrowed his brow. "Are you saying you love her? Son, you hardly know her."

Link huffed in frustration and turned away. Why was everyone so hung up about that? Of course, he knew her! He was the hero, and she was the princess. Obviously, they were made for each other. Her true identity only made things fall into place.

𝆘∴𝆗

Zelda blushed when Link pointed to her, and then Tarran voiced Link's feelings. Link loved her? Well, of course, he did. She loved him too. It was their destiny to be together always.

She watched him bury his head in his hands. He was frustrated with his father. How could she comfort him with everyone watching and while in separate cells?

"It's okay, Link," she said. He looked at her in surprise. She took that opportunity to mouth, "I love you." Hopefully, that would be enough. His eyes sparkled, and he nodded. Tarran eyed her suspiciously. Oops, he also saw. She looked at Saphem and Impa. They hadn't seemed to notice, at least. And her parents didn't hear. She didn't have to worry about their reactions. For now.

"Is everything alright?" Mother asked. "I didn't ruin your alliance with the hero, did I?"

"No, Mother," Zelda answered. "Everything's fine. Better, actually."

"Oh, good," Mother sighed. "What do we do now?"

Zelda looked at Link again. He was looking around his cell, checking every corner carefully.

"I'm… not sure," Zelda said. "Link is thinking about it."

When his cell was thoroughly examined, he plopped down with his legs crossed and sighed. He gave Zelda a defeated look.

"Now we wait," Zelda said sadly.

A short while later, a Gerudo guard walked through the dungeon. Zelda could hear her keys jangling the whole way. The guard stopped in front of Link and Tarran's cell, pointed at Link, and said, "You, on your feet. You're coming with me."

Zelda gasped and bit her lip. No! They couldn't take him! What were they going to do to him? Nothing good, she suspected.

Link didn't fuss or struggle. He went with the guard willingly. How could he be so docile? He could be going to his death! Zelda pressed herself against the bars to watch him go. Would this be the last time she saw him?

Waiting was torture. Zelda had no way of knowing if Link would come back. She itched to pace but was too weak from her burns. Instead, she sat against the wall, hugging her knees and trying not to cry. It didn't work, of course. Now and then, a tear slipped past her guard and down her cheek. Impa held her, but she was only a small comfort.

Miraculously, the guard returned Link to his cell. Zelda's heart leaped at the sight of him. His clothes were torn and bloodied, and he walked with a limp. His face was battered and bruised, with one eye swollen shut. What did they do to him? Fresh tears made their way down her face, and this time she let them.

Despite all this, Link smiled at Zelda when the guard left the dungeon. He actually smiled! What could he possibly have to smile at? Then she saw it. He was holding the keys.

"You didn't," Zelda breathed.

Link nodded enthusiastically, which made him wobble and hold his head. He was in worse condition than she! But… he had the keys, and he was using them. He and Tarran were out of their cell in seconds.

Tarran ran down the hall on silent feet while Link unlocked Zelda's cell door. As soon as she was able, she hugged Link fiercely. She never wanted to let go, but Impa touched her shoulder.

"We need to move," Impa said quietly.

Zelda sighed and released the hug. Link held her hand and led her down the hall. He paused at every cell door to free their occupants. How could he walk on that injured leg?

At the end of the corridor, Tarran and Impa peered around the corners. They discussed quietly, then went to the left. After a few seconds, they returned to the hall, dragging bodies.

Impa turned to one of the cells and spoke to its inhabitants. Zelda presumed that was her parents' cell. They were too far away to hear the conversation.

Tarran motioned for Link to hurry. Soon, everyone was released and whispering excitedly. Zelda's parents gave her a big hug when they got out of their cell.

"Oh, darling," Mother said, stroking Zelda's hair. "We thought we'd lost you for good."

"Sorry to interrupt," Impa said, "but we need to keep moving. There's no telling when someone will come."

"Quite right, Lady Impa," Mother said, assuming her role as queen. She raised her voice just enough for everyone in the hall to hear. "Settle down, settle down. Follow Lady Impa."

Impa pushed her way through the crowd, and Saphem asked, "Where is she going?"

"There's a passage at the end of the hall," Mother explained. "It will take us to the tunnels and out of the castle."

The crowd started moving back down the corridor. Zelda looked around, realizing Link wasn't by her side.

"Link?" she whisper-shouted. Where could he possibly have gone? She left he hallway and searched down another. He was there, rescuing other prisoners.

Zelda tapped him on the shoulder. He looked at her, startled. "Link, we don't have time to save everyone."

Link shook his head and moved on to the next cell. Zelda sighed. Of course, he would want to save everyone. She took the keys from him and handed them to a random prisoner.

"Free everyone else," she said.

"But I–"

"That's an order from your princess."

The prisoner bowed. "Yes, princess." He hurried to unlock the next cell.

Satisfied, Zelda nodded and turned to Link. "Let's get out of here."