-Genyuu Pass, Zelda-

For the Fae Elder, leaving Kanyou was a simple matter. He could scale walls quickly and the soldiers scattered across the city were too shocked by the sudden appearance of a giant wooden spider being ridden by a young girl to react in time. Zelda could do nothing but hold on tight as she could as the Fae traversed the top of buildings, up walls, and back down. She could breathe easily again and loosen her grip once they were traversing the open field.

Ahead in the distance, it was as Zelda feared. Ryo's chosen general was much more skilled than Ketsu's. While Zelda did not know of Ouki's game with them, she knew Ryo would have the overwhelming advantage. Ryo's general was reported to be one of the few men in all of Qin who could fight Ouki in a contest of strength; and this was but one of Ryo's assets. The Chancellor surrounded himself in powerful tools and champions of all fields. Ketsu... did not.

Ketsu's army was forced back into a full retreat from Genyuu Pass, and Ryo's army was giving chase. It was a small army made up of horsemen that gave chase, as the Pass forced the army to funnel through.

"Go right in between them!" Zelda yelled. "We have to stop them!"

Elder chuckled. "You want to fly directly between two clashing armies? You sure that is wise?"

"Perhaps not, but until all sides are stopped this won't be over. Kyou has been removed from the throne, but Ketsu is the source of the problem. I don't know what Kyou would have been like without Ketsu, but I do know he is partially how he is from Ketsu's whispering and tutelage. Kyou was the puppet, and the most obvious problem, but he was incompetent. Ketsu is the one pulling the strings and has most likely been the one to do the things Kyou will inherit responsibility for."

"What do you mean?"

"Does that child strike you as the type to know how to employ armies? To know where to send them, what tactics to use, what their objective is and how to accomplish it? Kyou's desire, knowledge, and ambition are narrow and direct. He wants the throne, and so long as he sits on it then details mean nothing to him. He knows nothing about managing anything, giving specific orders. The kid barely knows the geography of Qin. I greatly doubt Kyou has ordered most of what Ketsu has done in his name, but lets his 'teacher' use his princely power freely because Ketsu ensures he sits on the throne."

Zelda sighed. "I pity Kyou. He had the power of a king, and rather than use it responsibly, he gave it all to that man. Now all of Ketsu's actions will be on my brother's head."

"Then are we to kill Ketsu here and now?"

"No. Ganon spoke of a 'show of power'. It's a bit outside of context, but Ketsu's treason is worthy of public execution." Zelda pulled her bow from her back and prepared an arrow. Elder slowed his pace ever so slightly. She carefully stood. "Ketsu will be the man in the caravan box. Can you capture him?"

"I can. Ready yourself, Princess."

Elder sped toward the gap between the two armies. The horsemen of Ryo were closing in with Ketsu's back flank of soldiers. Zelda saw a number of Fae leave Elder's wooden form and swim in the ground at their feet. Immediately the ground around them shook violently. Zelda briefly closed her eyes to pray.

It would be close, but she had faith. Something she had been taught is that all authority is passed down from the gods. That all leaders are there for a purpose, and that they have power over man because the Goddesses wish it.

Zelda was here for a purpose. She had to believe in that. Otherwise... what was the point? Was it Nayru's will that she retake the throne? Was she to be the champion of Naryu from her dream? Zelda did not know the answer, but she wanted to place one last gamble. This time she wouldn't gamble with other people's lives, but on her Goddess alone. If Naryu will it, then Zelda would win. But if it were Nayru's will, then failure in this final moment would result in Zelda being torn apart in between the teeth of two entire armies.

Sensing it was time; Zelda opened her eyes and let loose an arrow.

As if in answer the arrow exploded into light and a shockwave rippled in its wake. The shockwave tore the ground between the armies. In the explosion of light, sound, air, and shaking earth, the horses panicked and halted their charge and stumbled over themselves. The fleeing army stumbled over themselves or scattered.

The ground beneath Elder's feet rose suddenly, and from the earth erupted massive vines. The vines knitted themselves tightly. Elder's feet landed on the vines, and he merged into them like a diver in water. Zelda landed roughly on them, but the vines continued to reach and roll across the ground. In moments a vine wall had exploded across the ground between the two armies in the wake of her light arrow.

Just as quickly as it appeared, Zelda felt it stop. A vine gripped her hips tightly and kept her from flying off, before releasing her. Breathing heavily, and a little shocked by the power of the Fae, Zelda stood on unsteady feet. Reaching up, she climbed out of the vine wall she had gotten encased in. She reached the surface, and stood on top the wall. On one side was Ketsu's army, and on the other side was Ryo's army. Both armies had halted in the shock of what happened.

Elder took advantage of the shock to infiltrate Ketsu's army, ride toward the caravan box, and throw himself into it. Immediately the box moved seemingly of its own accord and sealed itself shut. Ketsu yelled frantically and tried to escape, but to no avail. With his prize taken, Elder ran for the capital.

A caravan box running on little legs across an open field with a screaming man inside is rather comical in hindsight.

"Enough!" She yelled loud as she could in the silence to follow. "I am alive! The rebellion is over!"

Ryo's eyes widened at the sight of her. He and his captains had been enjoying a glass of water under the hot sun when it all happened. Abhdan spit out his drink in shock, and Ryo felt his cup fall from his loosened grip. He was entirely frozen at the sight.

"Ryo?" His captains asked. "Is that really her?! Could the princess be alive?"

Abhdan chuckled madly, "Oh-ho! Oh-ho! I don't know how! But she fooled the entire country! Oh-ho! Oh-ho!"

Ryo's lips slowly curled into a smile, he released one chuckle, then a second, and before long he bellowed in laughter. He clapped his hands together happily. "Good show! Wonderful!"

"Even though it means you have lost your chance at the throne?" Abhdan wondered.

"Lost my chance? No." Ryo smirked. "I couldn't be happier. She fooled everyone, even I! I was disappointed she amounted to so little, but it seems I underestimated her. I have been completely beaten, and I love it! I haven't lost my chance, old man... I merely get to enjoy the game a bit longer."

Ryo looked to his captains and took their attention. "You heard the princess! This rebellion is over! Pull all forces back, and send them back to their homes with word: The princess lives! Prince Kyou has been defeated!"

Meanwhile on the gate of Genyuu Pass, Ouki and his first-in-command stood on the gate watching. Ouki chuckled at the sight, especially enjoyed the sight of the caravan box running of its own will, and eyed the princess critically.

There was something about the sight of the princess standing alone between the armies... no! Not between! She stood against both armies! By her power alone she stopped two entire armies in their tracks! She did not stand merely as a princess, but for a brief moment, as a conqueror. It stirred memories in Ouki, and for a moment he remembered King Shorlin more clearly than he had in years. He felt his heart ache.

"Interesting..." Ouki muttered. "I thought nothing of the prince. The boy was a child incapable of growth. He would have been little more than a child even through his elder years. But this girl... she's something different. What was her name?"

"High Princess Zelda, sir."

Ouki nodded. Before, he never bothered remembering. He had been there for the rise and fall of the last four of Qin's kings, and dozens (if not hundreds) of princes and nobles. Remembering the names became a chore.

"Zelda..." Ouki repeated. "I think I'll test her."

-Royal Palace, Kanyou-

Following her victory, Zelda felt there was one final thing to do. It was impractical, yet symbolic; and being a princess the symbolic made it practical. The army of Ketsu surrendered to Zelda, and the officers in charge were imprisoned. Zelda ordered that messengers be sent out through the kingdom to inform the cities and forts that she was on the throne once more, and she sent messengers and heralds throughout the capital to restore the peace. The Majora were allowed entry all the way to the palace and were her honored guests for the time. Already as she returned to her palace she found the Majora and Royal Guard alike were celebrating the end of the conflict. It was something of an enigma to her.

"Something confuses you, princess?" Elder wondered. He stood by the palace gates once more as a wooden centaur.

"The Royal Guard and the Majora were killing each other earlier today. Now they are drinking together, laughing together, and trying to piece together broken dialogue when they clearly do not understand each other's language... and it isn't made any easier by the drink. Have they forgotten they were mortal enemies moments ago?"

"Why don't you ask them that question?"

She shook her head. "I am too busy. There is too much to do."

"Perhaps there is much to do, but much has already been done."

Zelda opened the door to the palace and entered the throne room. Blood was still on the floor, but the bodies had been moved. Link stood nearby with Matsubi and the Qin that followed her. The men were probing him to try a drink they handed him, and despite his distaste for the smell, he was bought by peer pressure. He coughed up everything he drank immediately to the men's laughter and cheers.

Elder continued, "Even a monarch must rest her head, princess. As you say, Kyou may have been lax. Perhaps he rested his head too much. But you, I see, rest your head too little. Enjoy the night for what it offers, high princess. The work will be waiting for you tomorrow. Look to yourself, you are weary enough."

As if to prove him right, Zelda stumbled over her own two feet and would have fallen had he not caught her arm. Blood covered her fists, her voice felt hoarse from yelling so much, her feet were raw, and her hair was soaked with sweat. Her vision blurred around the edges and she was shaky. He was right, she was weary. She had run all day on adrenaline, and now she was beginning to feel the pain of the cut from her stomach and her bleeding knuckles, as well as a large assortment of bruises.

"Then allow me one last thing," Zelda said. "Help me walk."

"Very well."

Gently, Zelda walked across the throne room. She took the steps one at a time until she reached the top. Releasing Elder's grip, she took hold of the throne's armrests, turned, and sat on it. Immediately a great weariness came over her, as she had not rested her feet a moment since they caught sight of Kanyou that morning. She hadn't rested properly even before then, in Majora's village, as the tension of what she knew was at stake plagued her mind. She hadn't properly rested in the Fae grove as the same stress rested on her mind, and the same could be said of her time in Midna's village. In fact, Zelda could not think of a time she could recall she had fully rested without a great burden on her mind.

Even now that burden was not gone. There was too much to do. But her body refused to listen and gave in. Feeling the throne under her allowed her body to realize she had won fully and utterly this day. Perhaps she could allow herself a moment to rest.

"You look like an old woman." Link chuckled.

"Shut up, monkey." Zelda mumbled.

Matsubi gave Link a look, and Link raised his arms. "What? She collapsed in the chair like an old weary woman!"

"Still is rude, though." The man replied.

The Qin's merriment went on for a time until Elder shushed them. "If you want to celebrate, then take it outside," he said.

"Your right. Let's take this outside." Matsubi agreed. He left the throne room with his men to look for more drink, but Link stayed behind a moment. He ran up to Zelda.

"You really shouldn't-" Elder reached out to stop him from ascending the steps, but Link was already by her side.

Zelda didn't open her eyes or move at his presence. Link whispered, "Want me to get ya something?... Princess? Hello?" He proceeded to poke her. But she did not so much as twitch. Realizing what it was, Link merely smiled and left quietly as he could.

Elder looked back as well. In the time he has known her he found her to be perhaps a bit paranoid about her personal boundaries. She was a light sleeper, if she allowed sleep at all. More so, she allowed no one near her. For her to fall asleep in their presence, and so deeply that she wouldn't stir when touched in the face... she was truly exhausted. She most likely would not stir for a day. Which was fine, with the way the men were drinking they wouldn't want to stir for a day either. Even Ganondorf Dragmire was participating, trying to outdrink everyone in a contest and was succeeding. Elder closed the doors and stood by, content to watch the men's merriment.

He never gave her the answer she wanted. The soldiers did not forget the bloodshed, but that knowledge and concern could wait. Later they could mourn the dead, today they celebrated the living.