The city was on fire. The flames licked up toward the crimson sky, embers settling down on the cobbled streets to drown in a river of blood. The clanging and clashing of weapons could scarcely be heard over war cries and the screams of dying men. Chaos was raging through the city, and I, safe for the time being up in my castle, could only watch, wonder and worry.

My kingdom had only been at war for a few short days, and already it was being crushed by the Akazians. The city had been under siege for four hours, and though the forces blocking the path to the castle were in the process of being demolished, they simply refused to surrender. And all I could do was stand on my balcony, staring down at the ravaged streets of my kingdom. Staring, but not really seeing. How could things have come to this? We had nothing to offer the Akazians in the event of our defeat – and Akazian victory seemed inevitable. Even I, being a queen and knowing next to nothing of matters concerning the military, could see that.

But nothing could have prepared me for my next loss. The door to my chambers crashed open, and in stormed Laoghaire, second in command to Link, accompanied by two other soldiers. His face relaxed when his eyes fell on me, though he still looked haggard and drawn as he took my hand. His gauntlets were bloodied, and I could not help but cringe as they brushed against my palm.

"We must go, Your Majesty!" he said quickly, pulling me toward the door. "The Akazians have destroyed the forces guarding the city. I’m afraid the castle will be stormed, and if you remain here any longer, you will be captured, or worse, killed."

"Where is Link?" I demanded, allowing myself to be led from the room. "He is safe, isn’t he?"

Laoghaire’s shoulders went stiff, but he did not turn to face me. For several moments, the only sound was the thud-thud of our shoes on the stone floor as we hurried down corridor after corridor. My brow creased in worry, for certainly Laoghaire’s silence could mean nothing good. I prayed that Link was still alive, for if he died, I could not go on.

"I’ll take you to him," Laoghaire said finally, and relief flooded through me. Only a fool would attempt to retrieve a dead body from a battlefield.

Laoghaire kicked open the door to the throne room and led me inside. It was empty save for two soldiers flanking a door to the right of the throne. He told me to stay put, and stalked off to talk to the guards. I looked around at the room that had been home to me – the rich, maroon tapestries hanging on the walls, the royal blue carpeting on the floor, and the window where I had first met Link were of greatest comfort to me. But for how much longer would it be my home? It hurt very much to think that I might soon be a refugee, unable to return to my country until the Akazians got what they wanted. I could be on the run for the rest of my life. What of the family I had dreamt of one day having? Was it never to be?

I wondered what would happen if the Akazians occupied Hyrule. My people would become mere serfs, and who knew what would happen to me if I were caught? Would I be killed, or simply locked up for the rest of my days? I would never have expected my country to be invaded. It had come as such a surprise that I had been unable to act adequately at the necessary time.

"I’m a terrible queen," I murmured.

"Come now, Your Majesty," Laoghaire said, placing a hand on my shoulder. I jumped, not realizing that he had come up behind me. "You mustn’t be so hard on yourself. You did the best you could under the circumstances."

"Thank you…" I said softly, placing my hand over his. "That means a lot to me."

He smiled. "Let’s go, Your Majesty."

He went and opened the door next to the throne. I stepped through it and found myself in yet another hallway. Laoghaire came in behind me and, upon closing the door after us, took a torch from one of the wall brackets and beckoned me to follow him. We went down several flights of stairs at the end, which led to the old dungeons. Shattered bricks lay about on the floor, as well as iron bars that had been warped from so many years of disuse. Filthy water flowed through a grate at the side. Cobwebs got caught in my hair as I walked, and I squeaked as I struggled to peel them off.

"What are we doing down here?" I asked, shivering as a drop of water splashed down on my arm.

"A passageway leads outside," he told me, holding the torch out to look around. "We also have to get to the catacombs. It’s on the way out of the city."

"Catacombs?" I questioned.

"Yes," he nodded. "Link is waiting there."

He took my hand, and we continued through the abandoned prison. I could not say how long we walked, but it felt like hours before I saw a crack of orange light at the end of the passage. Laoghaire helped me up the crumbling steps to a partially open door. He pushed against it, and it opened with a groan of protest.

I found myself standing in the doorway of the catacombs that my companion had spoken of. A knight standing against the door opposite rushed forward, pulling off his helmet.

"Your Majesty!" he exclaimed. His eyes moved to Laoghaire. "Why did you bring her here? You know the dangers!"

"She has a right to know," Laoghaire said softly. "If we do our jobs properly, she’ll be fine. Your Majesty, I will take you to Link now. Come with me."

We continued into the next room. There, lying on an old wooden table, was Link. One leg was bent at an odd angle under him. His eyes were closed, hands resting on his chest. His straw-coloured hair was matted with blood. I rushed to his side, my heart jumping in my throat.

"What happened to him?" I cried, shaking his arm. "Why will he not wake up?"

"I am sorry, Your Majesty," Laoghaire said. "He was shot in the shoulder during our last battle. He fell from his horse and was trampled by another. We couldn’t save him."

I looked back down at the man lying on the table. His white face was marred by dry blood and purple bruises. At second glance, I could see that his leg and torso were crushed. The hands had been folded strategically to hide the fact that his chest had caved in. I gripped the edge of the table, knuckles white. I felt sick. There wasn’t enough air in the room. My head spun, and I barely heard the door break down, nor felt Laoghaire shoving me into the next room.

No. I refused to believe it. They were all playing some sort of cruel joke on me. I grew angry. They should have known better! Especially in a time of war, when nerves were frayed and patience was running thin. My head cleared, at least somewhat, and I gathered my wits enough to look around and realize that I was in a room that, though at one point might have been used for embalming, was now used as a small armory. The stench made me ill. I had to get out.

I pushed myself to my feet and tried to open the door. Locked. I screamed in frustration and started kicking and hitting it with my fists. I did not expect it to budge, but my anger was overwhelming. I looked around the room for something – anything – to get me out. There was an axe lying against the far wall. I lifted it with difficulty. I had never used one before, but felt strangely empowered holding it.

I attacked the door with it. Wood splintered. I attacked it again. It splintered further.

"Your Majesty, no!" Laoghaire roared, fending off an Akazian attack. "Stay where you are, for the love of all that is good!"

I peered out the hole I had made in the door. I saw that the Hylian soldiers were trying to take the fight outside, and were succeeding. I went back to the door, turning my attention to the door handle. After a few solid hits, it fell with a clang. The door swung open.

I charged out. Link was still lying on the table. I went to him and gently kissed his forehead. Tears were streaming down my face. It was good-bye.

I ran out after Laoghaire and the others. I would not simply sit by and let the enemy get away with what they had done. The fires were still burning out on the streets. Laoghaire and the knights that had been guarding the catacombs were fighting a lone Akazian across the street. I took a small throwing axe from a body lying near my feet, heart pounding, but I was less afraid of death than I had ever been.

I hefted the small axe, gripping the handle tightly. I looked at the enemy soldier across the street and aimed, waiting for an opening.

But I never got a chance to throw. One of the knights managed to slice the Akazian’s throat. He fell, dead. I felt empty all of a sudden. I had had my chance, but hadn’t taken it. My opportunity for revenge was lost. I let the axe fall to the ground.

"Your Majesty!" Laoghaire said angrily, stalking over to me. "Do you not value your life? I told you to stay where you were! You are the queen, and cannot throw your life away so easily. The people look up to you most in times of distress."

"There are no people left, Laoghaire," I said sharply. "Hyrule is finished. Accept that. There is nothing more we can do. Surrender now. Link’s death shall be the last."

A commotion near the doors to the catacombs attracted my attention. I turned to see a knight running towards us, waving his arms in distress.

"Your Majesty! Laoghaire! There is something you must come see," he said breathlessly.

Laoghaire and I glanced at each other, then followed the knight. I almost fell over myself in the agitation, and with good reason, as I discovered upon entering the main hall of the catacombs. The table upon which Link had been lying was empty.

His body was gone.

Author’s Notes: … Eep. I hope next chapter doesn’t suck so much.