"Maybe we should let it sit before we go looking again." Gabri said taking his hand and following him to the kitchen. "We can look again tomorrow if the fighting remains quiet. I think you need to rest tonight. I will stay with you, if you'd like." she said as the entered the kitchen seeing their fellow soldiers arriving.

"Very well love... you can stay with me tonight, I'd like the company actually" as they entered the kitchen, they could hear uproarious laughter from the other soldiers, they were eating noisily. "Hey, its Link and Gabri!" Shouted one soldier, "what? Hes back on his feet already?" Asked another, "yeah, he is a pretty tough guy, I've seen him come through worse than a headache" answered the soldier sitting next to him. Everyone was sitting at individual tables with various breads and meats set up, the chef's female assistants were pouring water and beer for everyone to drink as well.

He sat with Gabri at the one table with the most free space, he looked around the room and noticed Shad about two tables down drinking some water, looking pretty mellow. He didn't want to bug him and cause trouble again, so he grabbed some bread and began to eat, but before he could take a single bite, he heard someone at the doorway. "Some soldiers are coming in from the west, just three of them, but they're riding horses, and carrying white flags!" Said the shoulder, Link dropped his bread and jumped from his seat, he landed by the doorway and the soldier let him through.

Shad dropped his food as well and left his seat, chasing after Link, "no you don't Link, I'M the one who will greet the peacemakers!" He shouted as he gave chase. Link ran faster and entered the throne room, he jumped out an open window facing west, landing on the ground just before the moat and jumped from there, landing on the outer castle wall. Now he was within the faerie's woods, the forest that stands between Holodrum and Labrynna, he waited where he was standing for the peacemakers to reach him.

Shad had caught up to Link, but he was so out of breath he didn't have the energy to even get angry, let alone speak. Link gave him a quick glance, "Shad, why are you here? You know its my job to greet the peacemakers, the king himself gave me the job." Shad soon caught his breath, he growled a little, "I don't care! You always get all the glory, and I'm sick of it! I want the credit this time! When the peacemakers got closer, Link felt something, something evil, coming from the Holodrum soldiers, so he looked at Shad again.

"Very well Shad, you can go greet them this time, just don't know how we'll explain it to the king later" Link folded his arms and stepped back a little, allowing him full access. Shad had a satisfied smile on his face and he marched over to the peacemakers who had just arrived, "welcome to Labrynna!" The soldier he greeted had long, red hair, and dark, evil looking armor, his eyes were green, and he didn't look very happy to offer peace. "We wish to see the king, we have the peace treaty for him to sign" he held a rolled up piece of parchment within his hand, tied up with a red ribbon.

"Ah, yes! Please, come this way" he guided them down the road to the castle entrance, but Link stepped in front of Shad, "you know that if you mess this up, the blame will be on your head." Shad scoffed and pushed Link off to the side, he ran after the peacemakers with Link running behind him. The three Holodrum Knights dismounted their horses, the other two following the leader were in full body armor, so you couldn't see their faces. Shad let them in the throne room and the king was sitting on his throne, waiting to finally sign the treaty and end the war, Link walked over to the King's side and stood by his throne, ready to defend him.

The king looked to his left, "where is Gabri Ella?" He asked, "I don't wish to start the ceremony without her."

"I am here, your highness," Gabri Ella said as she entered the room. She walked over to the throne, eying Link, and stood on the opposite side of the throne.

Gabri Ella took in the soldiers for the first time. She noted the leader having hair like hers and green eyes to match. Her eyes looked to the other two and noticed the full body armor. She stood by the King, ready, like Link, to protect him at all costs.

"King Daphnes of Labrynna, on behalf of King Nohsen of Holodrum, we bring an offering of peace between our two kingdoms" he went down on one knee and removed the ribbon, the parchment opened up, but it revealed nothing but blank paper... and a knife. The king gasped as the Holodrum knights leader grabbed the knife and got ready to stab the king in the throat, but Link tackled him to the ground. Shad and another guard grabbed the full body armor knights since they were going to attack Link, the king was furious "what is the meaning of this?!" He demanded.

"A sneaky assassination my lord, too bad their plan failed..." Said Link, struggling to keep the knight leader in a headlock. In his struggle, he stopped when he looked at Gabri, "no... could it be... my long lost sister?" He said, it confused Link enough for him to loosen his grip a little, so he broke free and ran to Gabri's side. "Gabri Ella?" He asked her, just before two soldiers came up and grabbed him, "take him and the other two to the dungeon, we'll discuss their punishment later!"

"Yes sir!" said the soldiers and Shad simultaneously, the knight leader struggled to break free, "no! Gabri Ella!!" He shouted as he struggled, the body armor soldiers soon followed, Shad and one soldier keeping them contained. Link ran up to Gabri's side, "do you know that guy, Gabri?" He asked her, sounding curious.

It all happened in a flash. She rushed to stand before the King but Link was faster and held the red headed man. Her face went pale when he said his name. Her eyes followed the man out.

Gabri almost didn't hear Link ask her a question. "...I...I don't know..." she said, a little shaken.

As if recovering, she turned to the King. "Are you alright, sir?"

"Yes, I'm alright Gabri... thank you for asking dear, I just can't believe such a thing has happened to us and what Holodrum reduced themselves to" the king adjusted his crown and got up out of his throne. "I'll make sure their punishments are very brutal in the morning, for now, you two should get some rest, you're off duty for the rest of the day." Link gave him a bow, "thank you your highness, enjoy your rest" he rose back up, the king gave him a kind smile, "you enjoy it too my friends" the king left the throne room and climbed up some stairs to the right to reach his royal bedroom.

"That was truly a close call..." he said, before he grew silent, he was thinking about what the Knight Leader said, "Gabri Ella, did your parents ever say you had a sibling?" He asked her as he removed his helmet to adjust his hair.

She watched the King leave and then turned to Link. "I knew of my younger siblings..." she said, a look of confusion on her face. This gave her a lot of questions for her parents.

"Link...Will you go with me to talk to him?"

"Of course, love..." he replied, smiling, he held her hand as they headed down to the basement, where the dungeons were located. A guard stopped them both as they descended the last step of the stairs, "we wish to see the newcomers" the guard nodded his head and let them pass, he went back to standing against the wall by the stairs. The knight Leader and his two other soldiers were sitting on their beds, moping and depressed, but the leader looked up and ran to the bars when he noticed Gabri and Link come by.

"Gabri Ella... oh, I'm so glad you came, its me, Ryudo" he anxiously waited for a response from her.

Gabri looked at the man who seemed to know her. She couldn't place him, her mind just didn't know. Holding Link's hand, squeezing it gently, she came closer to the bars. "Sir. Who are you? And how do you know me?" she asked, trying to keep the nerves from her voice.

"So... you don't remember me?" He asked, sounding disappointed, he sighed, "I had a feeling you wouldn't" he grew silent and looked away a bit, "remember when you were a child and you were about 2 years old, you had a baby brother, named Ryudo. Our parents couldn't afford to take care of me, so they gave me away to live with relatives in Holodrum, I grew up and became a soldier in the Holodrum army, then I heard word of you. I wanted to see you so badly, but I couldn't exactly travel into the castle as a Holodrum soldier, so I waited until our assassination plan went through, and I agreed to do it.

I knew it was a big risk, but I just wanted to see my big sister again... so I put my life on the line for you" a tear fell down his face, he didn't care if he might be killed tomorrow, at least he saw his big sister one last time. Link felt bad for Ryudo, "we'll do everything we can to make sure you and your friends are spared, I'm sure if the king knows about your story, he'll change his mind. He may even allow you to join us if you offer an apology."

Gabri Ella stood there disbelieving. It was a lot to take in. Then Link's words registered in her brain. "No..." she said, looking to the floor and shaking her head. "We do not know them or their notions. If we let them go, they might attempt again."

She did feel pity for this...Ryudo, but she had to protect the King and her home. "We will, however, convince the King to allow us time to evaluate you and your fellow soldiers. To see if you really are a threat." She then turned to Link and whispered into his ear, "I have to know if he is telling the truth first. I must speak with my parents."

Link listened to her whisper, he nodded his head, agreeing with her about needing to talk to her parents, "alright Ryudo, you should get some sleep now, we'll talk to the king first thing tomorrow, good night" after Gabri said good night, he headed back upstairs with her to the throne room. He yawned and stretched, "well, we missed dinner, ran into someone who is claiming hes your long lost brother after he tried to kill our king and we were offered a fake peace treaty... I say we had a productive day" he laughed a little. "Lets head to bed, love, hm?" He gave her a kiss on the cheek and held her hand as they headed up to Link's room.

Once they reached his room, he removed his armor, until he had his normal white shirt and black pants underneath. He placed his armor and equipment onto a table by his bed and sat on his bed afterwards, he fell backwards and used his hands as a pillow, he sighed. "Coming?" He asked her, using his hand to pat the bed, saying she can lay there.

"Very productive..." Gabri said quietly as they went to Link's room. She watched him as he removed his armor. Being a watcher, she did not wear armor, it was too noisy and interfered with her sneaking.

A giggle was heard when Link patted the bed next him. "Of course, love," she said, removing her shoes and weapon. She walked over to the bed and laid facing him. Gabri Ella kissed him gently and rested her head on his chest to listen to his heart as she fell asleep.

He stayed awake until she fell asleep, then he passed out right after her, hoping he didn't have any bad dreams so he wouldn't disturb her. Morning soon came and sunlight burst in from the window, but they were out of its way, so it didn't hit them head on. Link, thankfully, had a peaceful rest, which hadn't been for a while. He looked down at Gabri, still resting on his chest, he smiled and gently stroked her hair, "Gabri Ella, its morning" He whispered close to her ear, hoping to wake her up. He grabbed his pillow and moved out from under her quickly, he put the pillow under her head quickly to keep it elevated.

He gave her a kiss, hoping that would wake her up.

Gabri Ella stirred in the bed, feeling Link still beside her, feeling him touching her hair. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him. "Good morning, my love," she said and returned his kiss. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept good, love, best sleep I've had in days, perhaps it was because you were with me..." He chuckled a little as he started to put back on his armor, when he was fully dressed he handed Gabri her equipment. "Lets hurry, the king could be awake and planning Ryudo's punishment as we speak" he stood by the door and waited for her to get dressed.

"Yes...let's go," Gabri said as she rose from the bed. She attached her weapon and put her shoes back on. She walked over to Link and took his hand. "I'm ready. After, I will need to talk to my parents."

He gave her a hug, "it'll be alright Gabri Ella, I promise you it will" he held her hand once more and started to head down the tower to the King's royal chambers. When the reached the door, two guards were blocking it, "his majesty has not yet awakened from his slumber" said one guard, "please, this is too important to wait for!" The doors opened and the king was there, fully awake. "Your highness! Please, forgive us..." they walked off to the sides of the wall, "you may enter" said the same guard, he was a bit embarrassed.

"Link, Gabri, good morning, I suppose you're here to talk about the three Holodrum knights..." Link nodded his head, "please, come in" he offered them a sit at his table in his room. When everyone had a seat, the discussion began, "your majesty, we need you to delay their punishments for at least a day." The king was confused, "may I ask why?" He nodded his head, "the Knight's leader claims he is Gabri Ella's younger brother, and we need to find out if he is from her parents." The king grew silent, thinking, "very well..." he said, "I will let them live till then, but if you are not successful to prove he is Gabri's brother, they will be decapitated by noon tomorrow."

Link looked down at the table, he had no right to argue with the king's chosen punishment, so he didn't say a word. "For now, please, enjoy your day off and go have some breakfast before you leave, I don't want you to be upset" sadly, Link WAS upset, but he still didn't speak. He stood up, "thank you, your highness..." his last words, then he helped Gabri up and they both left the royal bedroom. When they reached the throne room, Link didn't really know what to say, "do you want to get breakfast, or just head to your parent's house?" He asked Gabri.

Gabri Ella was a little numb, she looked at Link, "I'm not sure I'll be able to eat..."she said, her words weak. They were alone in the throne room and Gabri took the opportunity to hug and hold Link. Speaking into his body, she said, "Thank you, my love. I don't think I could do this without you."

He hugged her as well and kissed the top of her head, "you're welcome love, I'll always be here for you, no matter what" he gave her a smile. "Come now, we have to hurry to your parents" he held her hand and started to leave the castle with her. Passing over the now silent and empty grounds, they headed across the river on one of the many bridges and entered Lynna City. It was a small city, only about 30 inhabitants, but it was still a very active place, little children were running around chasing after dragonflies and puppies. Lots of people and some farmers were chatting and gossiping with each other, too busy to notice Link and Gabri walking by.

There was a house upon a hill, big enough for a small family, it was Gabri's house, so he knocked on the door and waited for an answer with her.

Gabri Ella wondered if he really would be there for her no matter what. She thought about the woman in his flashbacks and wondered if she meant more to him in the life he had before.

She didn't even realize they were already at the door to her home until it came open and her mother's voice was heard. "Oh!! Honey!! What a lovely surprise!!" Sarina said happily, seeing her daughter at the door. Then her tone changed once she saw Gabri Ella's face. She looked to Link. "Hello, Link, dear. Please, come in. Have a seat." she said, ushering them into the house.

"Mother, I have to talk to you about something important." Gabri said, as she sat on the sofa and looking at her mother.

"Of course, dear. What is it?"

Gabri looked at her mother, as Sabrina had a seat on the chair across from the sofa. "Tell me about Ryudo."

Sabrina sat there, silent, looking from Link to Gabri and then back to Link, as if searching for help.

Link sat next to Gabri, he grew silent for a second, then finally spoke up, "Holodrum sent us three of their soldiers to offer us a peace treaty, but it was an assassination attempt and we put them in the dungeon. When we went to talk to them, the leader who tried to kill our king said his name is Ryudo, and he claims he is Gabri's younger brother. He said that you gave him away to live with relatives in Holodrum, is this true?" He anxiously waited for an answer, he was just as curious for Ryudo as Gabri was.

Sabrina sighed, looking down at her hands. "It was bound to come out." she said, finally looking into her daughters eyes. "It was several years ago. You were only two at the time and you don't remember him. The family wasn't doing very well then and we couldn't afford to take care of two small children."

Sabrina looked to Link and then returned back to Gabri's eyes. "My cousins live in Holodrum and they have been doing pretty well for themselves." She rose from her chair and walked over to her daughter, sat next to her, taking Gabri's hands into her own. "When we could care for Ryudo again, my cousins didn't want to give him back. Your father and I didn't know what to do but we sent some things to him so he know that we still cared and loved him."

"But why didn't you tell me about him?" Gabri Ella said, tears coming into her eyes.

"We thought it would be best so that you wouldn't know that there was someone missing from your life. Then after we had your youngest brothers, there was no time to tell you about Ryudo. But when the war broke out, we were afraid you would see him and we were worried for his life as well as yours." Tears were now rolling from Sabrina's eyes. She wrapped her arms around Gabri, crying softly. "I'm sorry we never told you. It was wrong of us and you deserved to know."

Gabri Ella patted her mother's hair. "It's alright mother. But now we have a chance to save Ryudo's life and I have a chance to learn more about him." she said, taking Link's hand with her free one.

Link absorbed in the whole story, he stayed silent through it all, but he squeezed Gabri's hand gently when she grabbed his, he looked at Gabri and Sabrina. "You may need to come with us Sabrina, to prove to the king that Ryudo is in fact your son and Gabri's brother, he might not just believe our word of mouth." He stood up and helped them both up, he gave them both a hug to calm themselves down, "now is not the time for tears, Ryudo is waiting for his family to come save him." He gave them both a encouraging smile.

Sabrina looked to Link. "You are right. My daughter found the right man when she found you." she said to him, holding his chin with one of her hands. "I shall go with you to speak to the King and to see my son after all these years."

Gabri looked at her mother and smiled. "Thank you for telling me. I'm glad to learn this. Let us go now."