The New Chronicles of Hyrule: Shadows Joined

Warning: Sexual content in this chapter. If you're under the age of eighteen or don't like reading heterosexual intercourse (a guy and a chick doing it) skip past the differently marked section.

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Sheik avoided Elenna for nearly a week after that night, though that didn't mean he'd stopped watching her. What surprised him was that she didn't slack off and fall into a deep depression after his words. Rather, she trained all the harder, sparring with Link and exercising her abilities with Nabooru and Zelda. He watched with pride, hidden in the shadows, as her abilities progressed at a surprising rate. She could now effortlessly tap into her powers, and was learning how to do new things with them.. even manipulating the shadows themselves. She could move from place to place using them, and had finally harnessed the ability of disappearing behind the flash of a Deku Nut as their people were known for.

He finally stopped hiding when she attempted to enter the Shadow Temple. Remembering what had happened last time, he dropped out of the shadows just behind her as she began leaving the antechamber, landing in a crouch from which he quickly rose and moved after her. "Elenna."

The young Sage stopped, turning to look at her ageless mentor with a vaguely surprised expression and a small smile. "Oh, Sheik. What a surprise. Can I help you?"

Sheik stared at her. After what he'd said and done, and how she'd reacted, how could she be so Goddesses damned nonchalant? "..Why are you going into the Temple? Do you not recall what happened the last time you did?"

"I can't just leave it, Sheik. Whatever I felt is still in there.. I have to find out what it is or I'll go insane. I just know it." Shrugging helplessly, she looked at Sheik with a pleading expression, asking him to understand. He did understand, actually. As a Sheikah, he had a slight affinity with the Shadow Temple as well. Not as strongly as Elenna, since she was its Sage, but it was still there. He could sense that evil as well, and easily grasped her desire to rid the Temple she protected of that taint.

After several long moments, he nodded. "I will accompany you. This way, we can watch out for each other, and stand a better chance of finding and vanquishing whatever it is."

Elenna gave him a grateful smile, and waited for him to come up beside her before she started walking again. In companionable silence, they traversed deeper into the Temple. After a very few minutes, they both realized something odd: Nothing had attempted to attack them. Elenna turned a questioning, slightly wary gaze on Sheik, who simply shrugged. Yet they were even more on their guard as they moved closer to the chamber where Link had defeated Bongo Bongo. The sense of evil grew so strong, it became almost tangible, like a scent that irritated the nose, causing Elenna to wrinkle hers.

Finally, they entered the room, and gazed about as their bodies tensed. Elenna gripped her sword tightly in both hands, standing back-to-back with Sheik as he held a short curved sword in his left hand. Glancing over her shoulder at the Sheikah male, Elenna smiled when he met her gaze, only for her expression to become one of dismay as she saw a large mass of what could only be called darkness rising up behind him. "Sheik, watch out!"

The two leaped apart just as the darkness lunged at where they'd been standing. Malevolently glowing yellow eyes hovered eerily in the blackness, fixating on Elenna as the evil gave a low rasping chuckle. One moment it was there, the next it was behind her, tendrils of pure darkness coiling around her waist and bare thighs while it uttered its words in a low hiss. "Mm, Sheikah.. long since we've tasted Sheikah.. you will sate our lust well. And then we will kill you."

Elenna had to bite back the urge to gag as she felt what seemed like cold mist, tainted with evil, pressing against her center and attempting to slither beneath her clothing. Trying to stab it did no good, as it simply flipped her blade from her grasp, sending it flying to land several feet away and skid to a stop at Sheik's feet. Sheik was glaring at the darkness with pure hatred evident in his single visible eye, though as he shifted his gaze to Elenna, his eye softened. Elenna was shocked to hear Sheik's voice in her mind, a soft whisper that caressed her consciousness. "Elenna.. do you trust me?"

She licked her lips, and wondered if he could hear her if she simply thought her reply. Only one way to find out... "Yes."

"Good." She breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. He'd heard her! "Now.. you must not move. Promise me!"

"I.. I won't..." She'd barely even thought the words, when there was a flash of lightning-quick movement from Sheik, and something streaked past her head, barely a breath away from her cheek. There was a yowl of pain from the darkness, and she felt its tentacles fall away from her. She dashed out of reach and over to Sheik, snagging up her sword before she came to a stop next to him, whipping around to look at the blackness. One of the creature's eyes was no more, and Elenna saw a small metal ball attached to a black rope come flying out of the space where it had been, the rest of the rope coiled in Sheik's hand. So that was what he'd done!

The two Sheikah barely had time to share a glance before the darkness was attacking them again, growling and hissing as it lashed out at them with thick tendrils of light-sucking blackness. Elenna barely dodged one, and Sheik jumped over another, both of them hacking and stabbing at the tentacles as they fought to avoid them, moving in a sort of intricate dance. Sheik found himself face-to-face with that last remaining eye, and thrust his sword into it, jumping back as the dark creature shrieked in pain and began flailing wildly. As he rushed over to Elenna, who was standing as far out of the darkness's range as possible, she looked at him, eyes wide with fear and curiosity. "Elenna! This is your Temple. You are the Sage. Use your powers, your connection to the Temple, to vanquish it. Call on the Shadow Medallion!"

Elenna eyed him doubtfully, but after a moment, she nodded. Slipping her sword back into its sheath, she bowed her head, staring at her feet, then took a deep breath as she began speaking. "I am the Sage of Shadow. I am the Protector of the Shadow Temple. I am the Bearer of the Shadow Medallion. I am Elenna Lilith Demhri, daughter of Impa, and I say..." Her violet eyes flashed angrily as she lifted her head, fixating them on the darkness, while her arms raised and positioned themselves just in front of her face, the right above the left and fists even with elbows. "...you will not dwell here, creature of evil!"

A vibrantly glowing purple orb formed in front of her raised arms, then flattened into the image of the Shadow Medallion. A beam of purple light shot forth from the Medallion, impacting the darkness and enveloping it. Shrill cries of agony erupted from the creature as the power of the Shadow Medallion, and the Shadow Temple itself, eradicated it, rendering it no more than particles of dust floating in the air after mere moments. As the image of the Shadow Medallion faded into nothingness, she let her arms fall, and looked at Sheik with a tired smile. Just as he sheathed his sword, she took a deep breath, and collapsed. He barely managed to catch her, cradling her limp form in his arms while panic welled within him. "Elenna? Elenna!"

"I.. I did it.. I'm.. really the Sage..." Looking up at him with that same exhausted grin, her eyes closed as she slumped bonelessly into his embrace. Sheik simply gazed at her for a few moments, then carefully stood as he lifted her, cradling her body as though it were infinitely fragile and would break at the slightest touch. Melding into the shadows, he traveled to her room off the antechamber, where he laid her on her nest, pushing her hair away from her face. She still breathed, but he could tell she was exhausted. Silent and thoughtful, he sat in a nearby corner and settled down to watch her, to wait till she awakened.

-x-

Elenna woke nearly a whole day later to a blinding headache. She groaned in pain, lifting a hand to her head as she slowly blinked open her eyes, thanking the Goddesses that the light in her room wasn't blindingly bright. As she moved to sit up, she felt a hand pressing to her shoulder, forcing her to remain on her back. Blinking rapidly in an attempt to clear her vision, she found herself looking up into two blazingly crimson eyes, one of which bore an inner ring of gold, and was ringed by a tattoo. Before she could speak, he was pressing a cup to her lips, and she felt cool liquid against them. "Drink. And do not be the obstinate girl who refuses help.. just drink."

Arching a brow at him, she smiled slightly and curled her fingers around he cup, taking a slow sip of the chilled water. She continued taking those small drinks until the water was gone, and only after Sheik had taken the cup and set it aside did he help her to sit up. "What..." Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat, then tried again. "What happened?"

"You banished the darkness, and collapsed. I brought you here. You have been unconscious for almost an entire day." He nodded at her disbelieving look, and gave a very faint, wry smirk. "You are quite the sleeper, young Sage."

"Yeah well.. you try doing something like that and not being exhausted." Rolling her eyes, she curled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them, resting her chin on her knees. Peering at him, she tilted her head, her eyes alight with curiosity. "So, what's next on the training agenda?"

Sheik's momentary joviality faded, replaced by a sort of blankness that made Elenna draw back. What he said next shook her world to its foundations. "There will be no more training. I have taught you all I can."

She stared in wonder as he stood and pulled on his chest covering, then once more wrapped those bandages around his head. Without even a backwards glance, he was walking out of her room, into the antechamber. It took her a second to really realize what was happening, but once it clicked, she was on her feet and staggering after him. She finally caught up to him at the top of the stairs that led to the graveyard; it was raining, and the rain quickly plastered her hair to her face and body. He stood at the fence, staring up into the sky, letting the rain wash across his face. He didn't look at her, though he obviously heard her. He knew she would speak eventually. And he was right.

"So.. that's it. You have nothing more to teach me. You're just.. going to leave? Disappear into the ether and wait to finally be allowed to die?" He didn't respond, though she was staring holes into his back. "..Well you know what, Sheik.. I'm sick of everyone leaving me. If you're going to leave me.. then at least leave me with something. Leave me.. with a good memory."

Sheik hadn't been expecting this. Surprise painted his features, hidden though they were, as he turned to look at her. Despite the fact that everything in his mind was screaming at him to just say no, to tell her she'd have to live with the memories she had, his mouth opened before he could stop himself. "What did you have in mind?"

She breathed a sigh, unaware she'd been holding her breath. Well, no reason not to take the plunge now. "I know you're waiting for Zhera. I know you don't love me. But I.. I love you. All I want.. is one night. One night with you.. so I can know the touch of the man I love."

Tense silence sprung up between them as they stared at each other. Finally, Elenna dropped her gaze, and turned away from him, moving back down into the antechamber. She only made it a few steps before Sheik was behind her, grabbing her arm and dragging her around to face him. No words were exchanged as he pushed down his facial covering and pressed his lips against hers in a ferociously passionate kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck as his coiled around her waist, hands gripping her firm posterior and hauling her up against him. The sexual tension that had blossomed between them since they met exploded; her legs hooked themselves around his hips as he pressed her against the wall, their tongues dueling for dominance.

Gasping for breath as they reluctantly tore apart, violet clashed with crimson, and without a word, Sheik pulled back from the wall, carrying Elenna into her room. As the massive stone door swung shut behind him, he knelt before Elenna's nest of a bed, laying her tenderly on her back as he settled on top of her. Their lips collided again as her hands ran up into his hair, removing the cap of bandages before the chest covering followed suit; his own hands wandered across her frame, finding the laces up the back of her corset and untying them with a single tug.

Pulling away the mass of boning and black velvet, Sheik kept his eyes closed as his lips blazed a path across her jaw and down her neck, leaving a trail of kisses, licks, and gentle bites in his wake. Coming to her breasts, he captured one taught nipple and began lavishing the rosy peak with attention, suckling and nipping gently, and bestowing a languid lick before moving to the other and repeating the torture. Elenna moaned, arching her back and wriggling beneath him as her hands wandered across his back; finding the bottom of his shirt, she curled her fingers into the material and pulled it upwards. Sheik let her flesh slide from his mouth with a wet pop, and allowed her to pull his top off, then casting it carelessly aside.

A flurry of movement found them both utterly devoid of clothing. Heated desire radiated from their forms as they kissed once again, though this time, it was a touch more tender, as he nestled in the cradle of her thighs. It seemed almost surreal, how easily he embedded himself within her.. she fit him perfectly, and as he broke the kiss, hiding his face against her neck, he couldn't help but moan. How was it possible that she could be so right for him? Her mother had been Zhera reborn in this lifetime.. he'd watched her marry, and die.. and have a beautiful daughter...

All these thoughts were abandoned as Elenna hooked one shapely leg over his hip and arched her back, the curve of her spine rivaling the most perfect of rainbows. Sheik gripped her hips as he bit her neck, reveling in the way she responded to him, eagerly rising to meet his thrusts and gasping breathlessly. Her nails raked up his back, leaving ten red welts that were her way of marking him, a testament to their one night together that he would never forget, even when they had faded from sight. Lifting himself up above her, his gaze locked on hers, watching as those violet eyes brightened to a dusky shade of lilac, becoming glassy with pleasure as he pressed his hips close against hers and shifted ever so slightly. Her sweet lips parted, and she called his name when rapture stole her senses.

"Sheik!"

Watching such perfection.. Sheik was lost. White light filled his vision and numbed him from head to toe with the purest of bliss, leaving him gasping and panting when he finally returned to earth. Collapsing on top of Elenna, he rolled onto his side and pulled the young Sage against him, cradling her protectively. Her leg draped over his hip, head tucked beneath his chin, he stroked her back until she fell asleep.