Queen of the Banished

“Hey Rabia!” Finn called. Rabia closed her eyes and sighed. She had sat down with her lunch to wait for her friends. He usually waited at least until the others were there to bother her. She set her book aside and counted to three before answering.

“What, Finn?” she asked. He sat down across from her and she glared. “That’s Zelda’s seat.”

“Is there room for one more?” Finn asked.

“Will you stop bothering me if I let you sit here today?” she replied. Finn nodded. “Fine. But grab another chair. There’s room between Tet and Link,” she muttered, returning her attention to her book.

“Yes!” Finn cheered. He stole a chair from a nearby table and shoved it between Tet and Link’s seats. He folded his hands in front of him and stared at her dreamily. Rabia was about to snap at him when her friends finally finished getting their food.

“Shove over, dude,” Tet said, squeezing in between Rabia and Finn. Link slid in behind Zelda to get to his spot and settled in tight on Finn’s other side. Kaikoura sat down on Rabia’s right and eyed Finn suspiciously. Sheik took his spot between Kaik and Zelda and flipped his book open.

“What page are you on?” he asked Rabia.

“No page, because she should stop reading to talk to her friends,” Zelda said. Rabia groaned.

“Fiiiiiiiiiine,” she said.

“Wow, I feel appreciated,” Kaikoura fake sniffed. Rabia laughed. Sheik tucked his own book back into his bag as well with a laugh.

“So Rabia, what are you doing this weekend?” Finn asked. “I went to your house Saturday but you weren’t there…”

“Yeah, I was at Kaik’s last weekend. This weekend I’m going to a family friend’s house,” she said.

“That sucks,” he said. “Well… what about the weekend after?” he asked.

“Nope, hanging out with Zelda,” she answered. He frowned, and went to say something but was distracted by Tet jumping up over him.

“Oh, hey, sorry! My friends are looking for me,” he said. He grabbed his lunch tray and dragged his chair over to another table, where a group of big, rowdy guys were goofing off. Finn smiled and slid his chair closer to Rabia.

“Well, can I text you sometime, then? To see when you’re free next?” he asked.

“...Sure,” Rabia said. She dug out a pen and wrote her number on the palm of his hand.

“Cool! I’ll text you later,” he said. He grabbed his stuff and moved back to his usual table as well. Rabia shook her head. Zelda sighed.

“How do you get all the boys to like you?” she asked after a moment.

“Yeah, honestly,” Kaikoura added. “I can’t even get a guy to look at me.” Rabia glanced at Sheik and Link. Link flushed and looked away, and Sheik adjusted his cowl.

“...Boobs,” Rabia said. Link choked on his drink. “It’s gross and annoying, but they’re easy enough to ignore.”

“I wish I had boobs,” Zelda grumbled to herself. Sheik got up to pat Link on the back as he sputtered.

“DUDE, WE GET IT,” Rabia said to him. “Chill already!”

“S-Sorry,” Link coughed. “Wasn’t expecting that. You have boobs, Zelda!” he said, a little loudly. Rabia facepalmed.

“Zelda… breasts develop during puberty. You have time,” Sheik interjected. Zelda buried her face in her hands.

“Yeah but… hers are big already,” she huffed and set her head in her hands. “Also stop giving me puberty advice! You’re younger than me.”

“By three minutes,” Sheik said.

“Okay can we stop talking about my boobs?” Rabia crossed her arms over her chest. “I only meant that twelve year old boys are
stupid.” Kaikoura nodded in agreement.

“Yes, they are.” She stared at Tet wistfully. “But so cute…” Rabia shook her head in amusement.

“I prefer older boys,” Rabia said. “Or at least… boys I haven’t known since I was five and already hate.”

“Heyyy!” Link cried. Zelda started laughing.

“Sorry,” Rabia shrugged, not looking sorry at all. “Look, if you really want attention and can’t wait, just stuff your bra or something. They really aren’t worth it though.”

“That’s easy to say when you could have any of them,” Zelda sighed.

“You’re literally a Princess,” Kaikoura shook her head.

“Yeah well… you have a nice butt!” Zelda retaliated.

“Okayyy, well, I think that’s enough of that!” Sheik said, sounding strangled. He stood as the bell rang and hurried out of the lunch room.

“...Zelda has a nice butt,” Link mumbled grumpily. Zelda just laughed.

“That’s nice of you, Link. C’mon Kaik, we have to go to Hyrule History!” Zelda said. Kaikoura groaned, but let Zelda drag her away. Rabia shouldered her bag and looked at Link.

“Band?” she asked. Link nodded and grabbed his stuff, following her down the hall.

--

“Ugh, it’s so cold out,” Rabia shivered, wrapping her scarf tighter around herself. “Are you guys sure you want to go ice skating?”

“Come on, it’ll be fun!” Zelda smiled. They all donned their skates and headed out onto the ice. Tet had opted out in favor of throwing snowballs at passersby in Hyrule Field, but Finn had come along with the group instead. He’d become a stable part of their group after that day in the cafeteria, joining them for every outing the group had gone on. The others slid onto the ice gracefully and took off in the rink. Rabia stuck close to the sides, barely moving. Finn skidded to a stop beside her.

“Don’t you know how to skate?” Finn asked. Rabia shook her head. “Come on, it’s easy.” He took her hands and skated backwards, pulling her along behind him. She wobbled but before she could fall, he caught her around the waist. “Whoops! Sorry, okay, get your balance first,” he smiled. They skated around the rink together for awhile before the group called it quits, heading inside from the cold.

They all squeezed into a table at their favorite restaurant, her friends shedding their coats almost immediately upon entering the building. The waiter brought over a pot of hot tea and took their dinner orders.

“So what are you guys doing this weekend?” Kaikoura asked. She was squished into the window seat on Rabia’s left, but didn’t seem too upset by the draft coming in.

“Sheik, Tet and I have to entertain some dignitaries from Altea,” Zelda said.

“That sounds… incredibly boring,” Rabia said.

“It is,” Sheik agreed. Zelda giggled.

“I don’t have any plans,” Kaik sighed, looking to Rabia hopefully.

“Sorry, girl. I’m going to my dad’s best friend’s house again,” she said. “We’re going to be there all weekend.” Kaikoura pouted.

“Hey, I don’t have any plans either!” Link spoke up. “Want to hang out?”

“Yes! Thank goodness,” Kaikoura sighed.

“I have to visit some finishing schools,” Finn groaned.

“Oh, Hyrule University?” Zelda asked.

“That’s one of them,” Finn nodded.

“That sounds so boring,” Rabia wrinkled her nose. The waiter came back over and set their food down on the table.

“Wouldn’t you rather stay home and hang out with me and Link, Rabia?” Kaikoura asked though a big bite of pizza.

“Um, no,” Rabia said almost immediately. She took a deep sip of her tea and sighed. “Goddesses, it’s cold.” Kaikoura huffed.

“Fine. Go hang out with Guuuunnerrrrrr,” she sang. Zelda started laughing.

“It’s not like that!” Rabia insisted. “He doesn’t even see me as a girl,” she pouted,stabbing at her pasta.

“I highly doubt that,” Finn answered, looking her up and down. Rabia rolled her eyes.

“That’s not what I mean,” she muttered. Zelda smiled encouragingly.

“Just tell him you like him!” she said. “You’re gorgeous, he probably likes you too.”

“Yeah?” Rabia asked.

“Yeah! Just do it!” Link gave her a big thumbs up.

“Okay, I will,” Rabia said. She looked up at the clock and swore. “Dad’s gonna kill me! I was supposed to be home ten minutes ago!” she dug some money out of her pocket and set it on the table, then climbed over Zelda. “I’ll see you guys later!” she hurried out of the restaurant. She missed the disappointed look on Finn’s face as she left.

--

“Gunner,” Rabia giggled between kisses. “I have to go,” she laughed when he leaned in and kissed her neck.

“Can’t you stay a little bit longer? Your parents won’t mind…” Gunner said. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back onto his lap, kissing her deeply.

“Mmm…. well… maybe just… a few more minutes,” Rabia said into his lips. Gunner grinned and turned to press her back onto the bed. Rabia tangled her fingers in his silky black hair while his hands roamed over her skin. She followed his lips as he pulled away, propping herself up on her elbows in time to see him pull off his shirt. “Oh, damn…” she ran her hands over his abs and licked her lips, eyes dark.

Gunner smirked and leaned into catch her lips again, his hands sliding up under her shirt. He tossed it into the corner with his and pushed her back into the pillows again, his hands framing her ribs. He trailed kisses from her lips to the side of her neck, working on a spot that had Rabia digging her nails into his skin. Gunner slid his hand down her shoulders to the clasp of her bra, and soon that joined their shirts over in the corner. He sat back to take her in, his thighs bracketing her hips. Rabia’s blush spread from her cheeks down her chest, her hair in wild knots.

“What?” she laughed, propping herself up again.

“You’re so gorgeous,” he smiled. He leaned back over her to kiss her, his hands massaging her breasts. Rabia moaned into his mouth and slid her hand into his back pocket.

“Gunner,” she said breathlessly. “Hey,” she pushed him back. “I… I really do have to go,” she said, leaning in to kiss him again. Gunner sighed and kissed her cheek.

“Okay…” he pouted. She giggled.

“We’ll pick this up next time,” she promised. She wiggled out from under him and got dressed, pausing in the doorway to blow him another kiss before rushing home.

--

“Kaik, what’s wrong?” Zelda asked. Rabia looked over at them curiously. The three of them were sitting in the grass outside campus, enjoying the first of many warm spring days.

“I just… really like Tet,” Kaikoura muttered. “He doesn’t even notice me.”

“Of course he does, Kaik!” Rabia said. “You guys spent all weekend playing Mario Kart together!” Kaikoura sighed.

“No, he just sees me as one of the guys… I want a date.”

“Well, ask him out then,” Rabia said.

“...Yeah, I guess I could,” Kaikoura said. She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Okay… here goes nothing.” She walked across the lawn towards Tet and his friends. She glanced back at Zelda and Rabia, who gave her thumbs up. Kaikoura shook off her jitters and approached Tet. He shooed off his stupid friends while he talked to Kaikoura. A few minutes later, Kaikoura came back, looking glum.

“What happened?” Rabia asked, setting a hand on Kaikoura’s shoulder.

“He said, and I quote, “uh… no offense but no way…”,” she said, mimicking Tet’s voice.

“Oh no…” Zelda said. “I’m sorry Kaik. Tet isn’t always…. Very sensitive,” she said. She gasped. “Maybe you should go out with Sheik!” she said. “You guys have a lot in common!” Kaikoura gave Zelda a look.

“Sheik doesn’t even like me,” she said. “Stop trying to set me up with your brothers.”

“Okay, sorry,” Zelda said, looking down at her lap. Kaikoura sighed.

“You know what? It’s been a while since we had a girls day,” Rabia said. “Let’s go to my house after school is over and hang out,” she smiled. “I’ll let you make me look girly,” she smiled sweetly.

“Oh dear goddesses, please say yes, Kaik. She needs it,” Zelda said.

“Hey!” Rabia elbowed her. Kaikoura started laughing.

“Sounds like fun,” she said.

“Boys are dumb anyway,” Rabia said. The bell rang and they all got back up. “See you in a few hours!”

“Oh my goddesses… why don’t you dress like this every day?” Zelda asked. Rabia wrapped her arms around her bare midriff.

“It’s cold,” she mumbled. Kaikoura did Rabia’s hair so her curls fell just right, and Zelda had done some light, pretty makeup. They had picked a white crop top with sunflowers, a short pleated black skirt, and white sneakers.

“But you look so cute!” Zelda said.

“Are we doing your hair, and Kaik’s?” Rabia asked.

“Yes!” Kaikoura said cheerfully. “Zelda’s getting a long bob! And I’m going pink,” she grinned. “But I think our outfits are already great so… that was just for you.”

“...Wow. Thanks,” Rabia said.

“Don’t worry, Kaik’s getting new makeup too,” Zelda said.

Hours later, Kaikoura had bubblegum pink hair, shimmering rose gold eyelids, winged eyeliner, and light lip gloss. Zelda had a new long, platinum long bob and dusty rose lips. After looking at the three of them in the mirror, Zelda wolf whistled.

“We look good,” she said, impressed. “You should wear that for your date tomorrow,” Zelda said to Rabia. Kaikoura nodded in agreement.

“Okay,” she said. “I can do that.” She pulled on a sweater and flopped down on her bed.
“Movie time?” she asked.

“Yep! I vote Clueless,” Zelda said, flopping down beside her. Kaikoura flipped on the television and started the movie.

--

“Hey! Gunner!” Rabia laughed, half climbing into his lap to retrieve her controller. “Don’t be a sore loser!” she giggled.

“What do you mean? Clearly I'm winning,” he said, holding the controller higher. She shifted around so she was straddling his hips as she reached for the controller he held high above her head. He paused the game and set a hand on her waist as she managed to grab the controller back.

“Ah hah!” she cried. He looked at her, amused.

“You know, no one else is home,” he said, pulling her close.

“Oh really?” she asked. “That's good. We won't bother anyone with our game,” she smiled. Gunner smiled and leaned in to kiss her.

“I know another game we could play,” he murdered against her lips. He slid his hands down to her hips and squeezed gently. Rabia's eyes fluttered closed and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Suddenly she pushed him back.

“What if someone walks in?” Rabia asked, glancing towards his bedroom door.

“Dad won’t be home until next week,” Gunner said, rubbing his thumb along her hip. “Serenity is on a week-long vacation, Decker is staying at a friend’s house, and Felicity is with her mom until dad gets back…” he leaned in to kiss her again.

“Can I… can I tell you something, first?” she asked.

“Of course you can,” Gunner said, sitting back to look at her. “What is it?” Rabia blushed and bit her lip.

“Well… I… Iloveyou,” she buried her face in the crook of his neck to hide her blush.

“... I love you, too, Rabia,” Gunner said. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Now stop hiding that pretty face of yours so I can kiss you,” he teased. Rabia sat back up, and met him halfway, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as they embraced. Gunner ran his hands along her sides and leaned back so she was resting against the bed. He settled above her, one knee between her thighs and the other beside her hip…

--

The December winds were bitterly cold, ripping through her body despite the thick layers she was wearing. Despite this, Rabia was in good spirits after school as she headed to Gunner’s house. She and Kaikoura were walking with their arms linked, avoiding slipping on the ice. Rabia waved goodbye to her as they got to her house.

“Be careful on your driveway, Kaik. I’ll text you later!” Rabia waved to her and waited until her friend was inside before continuing down the street. She stopped at home to drop her backpack off in her room.

“Rabia?” Rob asked as she headed back out the door.

“Yeah?” she poked her head back inside to look at him.

“Mom and Dad are going out tonight,” he reminded her. “Are you going to Kaik’s?”

“No, I’m going to hang out with Gunner for a bit,” she answered.

“Okay. Do me a favor and text me when you get there, and then when you leave? It’s slippery out and… well… you’re very clumsy.”

“Yes, mom,” she grinned. “I’ll be home before dinner. Bye!” she hurried out the door and made her way to Gunner’s house. She knocked on the door and waited, bouncing on her toes, unable to keep the smile off her face.

“Rabia,” Gunner opened the door with a smile, but it didn’t seem to reach his eyes. Rabia stepped inside and followed him up to his room.

“Are you okay?” she asked, settling onto the couch beside him. Gunner sighed.

“We… we need to talk,” he said. Rabia frowned.

“Okay… about what?” she asked. He took her hands in his and looked up at her sadly.

“Rabia, I think… we need to break up,” he said. She pulled her hands back.

“What? Why?” Rabia asked, her voice rising. He took a deep breath.

“I love you,” he said. “Nothing is ever going to change tha-”

“You think that’s going to make this better?” Rabia demanded.

“Please, stop, let me explain,” Gunner said. She stared at him. “Being together is going to make things… weird,” he said. She frowned.

“I don’t understand. What do you mean?” He sighed.

“Our dads have been best friends since… forever, and every time our families get together to hang out it’s harder and harder to pretend that what we have is platonic,” he said. “I don’t want to put that kind of strain on our dads’ friendship. Or on ours,” he added. “I love you, and I always will, but… us being together… isn’t good for everyone else.”

“I don’t care about everyone else!” Rabia snapped. “I don’t want to break up, I want to stay with you. I love you, more than anything,” her voice softened and her eyes filled with tears. “Please.” Gunner wiped a tear from her cheek.

“I will always love you, Rabia. But what if we stay together, and have a terrible breakup in the future? It would make things weird for our families - they’re just so close,” he said. “And I’d rather keep you as a friend than not have you at all.” She stood and grabbed her coat.

“Bye, Gunner,” she said softly. She walked out of the house. It was already dark outside, the streets empty as Rabia made her way home. She managed to keep herself together on her way home, despite the growing lump in her throat.

Rabia ignored her brothers as she made her way up to her room, avoiding Rob’s gaze as tears welled up in her eyes. She closed the door behind her and fell to her knees, sobbing into her hands, unable to contain it any longer. She had never felt a pain like this. It was like her heart had been ripped from her chest, replaced with a heavy stone that made it hard to breathe.

“Rabia? Can I come in?” Rob asked through the door. When she didn’t answer, he eased the door open. “Oh, Rabia…” He closed the door behind them and knelt beside her, and pulled her into his arms while she cried. Rabia clung to him, pressing her face against his chest. “What happened, little sister?” he rubbed her back soothingly. “He broke your heart, didn’t he?” Rabia nodded against his shoulder. “I’ve got you.” Rob wiped a tear from her cheek. “Everything will be okay.”

--

“What do you mean, you’re engaged?” Kaikoura asked. It’d only been a month since Rabia’s breakup with Gunner. “Engaged to who?”

“Finn,” Rabia said.

“Finn?!” Zelda squealed. “That’s so cute! He’s had a crush on you for… like, ever!” she cheered.

“Really? You… actually like him?” Kaikoura asked. “Isn’t this kind of soon after Gunner?”

“Finn’s alright,” Rabia said.

“How did this happen?” Zelda asked. Rabia sighed.

“He’s a lord,” she said. “He talked to my parents, and then… we were engaged.”

“Did your parents even ask you?” Kaikoura frowned. “They just… arranged an engagement for you?”

“I guess so,” Rabia answered. “Better Finn than some stranger. He’s nice.”

“He’s very nice,” Zelda agreed. “And he really likes you. I’m so excited for you, Rabia! You’re going to get married!”

“Yeah…” Rabia trailed off. Her cat jumped up onto the bed and flopped herself into Kaikoura’s lap with a trill. “I just… never really pictured myself marrying someone. Especially not a lord,” she sighed.

“Oh, I’ve always wanted to get married,” Zelda said with a dreamy sigh.

“Really? With all the guys you’ve been banging?” Rabia asked with a laugh.

“Rabia!” Zelda smacked her with a pillow. “Maybe one of them will be my future husband,” she said. She smacked Rabia again when she started laughing again.

“I couldn’t imagine getting married now,” Kaikoura frowned, stroking her fingers through Katrina’s fur. “It seems so early…” she trailed off.

“Speaking of, how was your date with Sheik?” Rabia asked. Kaikoura blushed.

“It was… really nice,” she smiled. “He took me riding into Hyrule Field where he’d set up a picnic for us. Then we spent the night stargazing.”

“That’s so romantic,” Rabia smiled.

“He was very happy when he got home,” Zelda added. “He’s been into you since we were children.”

“Really?” Kaikoura asked. Zelda nodded.

“He started wearing the cowl because he kept blushing around you,” Rabia snorted. “Link kept pointing it out because he sucks.”

“Link doesn’t suck,” Zelda frowned.

“Eh… he kinda does.”

“So can we see the ring?” Zelda asked. Rabia pulled it off her finger and handed it to Zelda. “Ohhh my gosh, how big is this diamond?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I think Finn said it was 7 carats?” Rabia said.

“It’s gorgeous,” Zelda gasped.

“Diamonds aren’t really my thing, but yeah, it’s nice,” Rabia agreed. Kaikoura leaned over to look.

“It’s very pretty,” she agreed. “Seems rather excessive though, doesn’t it?” she asked. Rabia nodded.

“Yeah, but… it’s a family heirloom. He said it was his grandmother’s and accepting it… made him very happy.”

“Psh, yeah, he’s probably ecstatic right now. He’s been chasing you for years and he finally got you,” Zelda laughed.

--

Rabia entered the house quietly the next day, so as not to disturb Finn in his office. She had been wearing a sweater all day to hide the bruises Finn had left on her arms the night before and she was eager to change into something cooler. She knew that the bruises would upset her friends so she’d opted to cover them, but she also knew that it wouldn’t happen again. She wasn’t too worried - it was Friday. They’d be healed before she went back to school. Rabia walked upstairs to her guest room to find an elaborately wrapped box sitting on her bed, a small card settled on top.

She opened the card curiously. ‘Let me make it up to you. 7 o’clock tonight.’ was written in Finn’s perfect cursive. She set the card aside and took off the lid of the box. Inside laid a silk, sapphire blue gown, atop which sat a diamond bracelet, and a sapphire necklace. Rabia looked at the clock and sighed, then started getting ready.

Hours later she was showered and made up. She pulled on the dress and stepped into her heels. The dress was backless, low cut, and hugged every curve. Rabia put on the bracelet and necklace, flinching as the cold pendant fell into her cleavage. She looked in the mirror and gently tugged on the unforgiving fabric, wishing it had a modicum of modesty. The clock changed to 6:58 and Rabia headed downstairs, gripping the railing as she descended.
All the lights were off, except for the soft glow of candlelight coming from the dining room. She stepped into the room as the clock hit 7pm. There were two spots next to each other set for dinner.

“Rabia,” Finn smiled. “Would you like some wine?” he asked, pulling out her chair. He didn’t wait for her answer - he just poured the wine. Rabia settled into her seat. Finn leaned in to kiss her cheek. “You look beautiful,” he said, sitting down beside her. They dined in relative silence, Rabia only speaking when Finn asked her questions. She didn’t want to upset him. He talked all through dinner, telling her about his day, then suddenly his hand was on her thigh. Rabia stood quickly, brushing his hand off.

“What are you doing?” she asked with a frown.

“I promised to make it up to you,” Finn said. He stood and leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her head away. He pressed kisses against her neck instead.

“Yeah, no, we’re not doing that,” Rabia said, pushing him away. Finn frowned.

“We’ve been engaged for months, and you haven’t even let me kiss you,” he snapped. “You fucked Gunner after dating him for four weeks!” Rabia scowled.

“Yeah, well, I loved him,” she snapped. He backhanded her across the face and she cried out, stumbling back. He grabbed her shoulders and shoved her against the wall.

“I have given you everything, Rabia!” he yelled, shaking her. “I’ve taken you on romantic dates, bought you gifts, given you everything you’ve ever asked for! He didn’t give you any of that! What do you want from me?!” he demanded. Rabia looked up at him with wide eyes, trembling in his grasp.

“Please let go of me,” she whimpered. He wrapped his hand around her neck.

“Kiss me,” he demanded. Rabia struggled as the grip on her neck tightened. “Kiss me!” he demanded again. Rabia choked, her struggles slowing. He leaned in to kiss her again, and this time she let him. He released her and she gasped for breath, falling to her knees. “Was that so hard?” he asked. “Clean up this mess.” He left, slamming the door shut behind him.

--

As predicted, the old bruises on her wrist and arm had healed by Monday. The new ones, a dark bruise across her cheekbone and hand shaped ones on her neck and shoulders, had only gotten worse. Even with makeup to cover them they still looked rather swollen. She picked a flowy top, which helped hide the shoulder swelling and hoped the makeup was enough for the rest. She put on her jacket and grabbed her backpack, adjusting the straps so they didn’t sit where she was bruised, and headed out the door.

Her classes passed in a blur. During creative writing she could feel Sheik’s eyes on her, assessing, but he said nothing as they worked on their story together. Lunch came, and Rabia hardly touched her food, her stomach turned leaden as the end of the day approached. Band was especially difficult - her bruised shoulders made holding her flute painful. The swelling around her neck altered her airflow enough to be noticeable, especially during her short solo.

“Rabia,” Link whispered to her, after the director stopped them to talk to the trumpets. “Rabia, are you alright?” he asked, leaning into her space. She nodded without looking at him. Link frowned, but turned to front when the director addressed their section.

“Rabia, try to add more feeling into your solo next time,” he added. “From the top!” They played the piece again, and Rabia poured every ounce of emotion she had into her solo. It ended with a final chord from the trumpets. “I think that’s the best we’ve ever played that. Do that at the concert and we’ll be golden. Rabia, unusually sad take of that solo, but beautiful.”

“Niiiice!” Link raised a hand to give her a high five and she flinched, violently, almost falling out of her chair.

“...Excuse me,” Rabia muttered, sliding out of the chair and hurrying out of the room. She leaned over the water fountain to get a drink she heard quiet footsteps coming up behind her.

“...Rabia?” Link asked. “Are you alright?” he leaned against the wall next to her, his hands clasped behind him out of sight. She nodded. He glanced down the hall and opened the door to one of the practice room. She looked at him suspiciously, but stepped inside. He closed the door behind her. “Are you sure you’re okay? In band you seemed like… you were in pain?” he asked. Rabia sat on the floor with her back against the wall, knees to her chest. Link settled in beside her and waited.

“Last night…” she started. “Well, last night… Finn hit me,” she whispered, wringing her hands. Link slid closer to her, their shoulders pressed together.

“I’m sorry,” he said, after a moment. She sighed and set her head on his shoulder.

“Me, too.”
--

As the months passed, Rabia saw her friends less and less. She followed Finn’s every whim and demand to keep him happy, but despite this, the abuse kept getting worse. No matter what she did, it was wrong, and he told her as much. Every cut and bruise was her fault, no matter the circumstance. A brutal fight ending in a broken wrist and a deep cut along her upper arm found Rabia running from Finn’s house to the nearest safe place she could think of. It was late as she approached Kaikoura’s house at a sprint, pounding on the door. She knew Finn was likely out looking for her.

“Rabia?” Kaikoura opened the door, hair messy and eyes blurry. She stepped aside and let her friend in, locking the door behind them. “What’s wrong?” she asked. Kaikoura took in her friends harried appearance and the bloody gauze around her arm. “Finn did this?” she asked.

“Do you have a first aid kit?” Rabia asked.

“Yes, of course,” Kaikoura led her to the bathroom and rifled through the drawers, pulling out every first aid supply she could find while Rabia cleaned the cut under the faucet. After it was bandaged and the bleeding slowed, Kaikoura looked at Rabia with a frown. “Link told me what Finn did, a couple weeks ago. Rabia, you need to leave him,” she urged. Rabia nodded.

“I know…” she sighed. “I just don’t know how. I don’t want to make him angry.”

“Well, then, he can deal with dad,” Kaikoura said. “You’re not leaving my house. Do you have anything there other than clothes?”

“Just… my school stuff,” Rabia said. Kaikoura nodded and typed out a message on her phone. She wrapped Rabia’s broken wrist in a compression bandage and led her upstairs to her bedroom. Nasty was sitting on Kaikoura’s bed, eating a popsicle.

“Ew, Nasty…” Kaikoura frowned at him.

“Hey, you asked me to meet you here!” he said. “In the middle of snack time, no less!” Kaikoura sighed.

“I need a favor,” she said to him.

“I’m listening…” he trailed off, biting his popsicle and tossing the stick in her trash can.

“Could you go to Finn’s house and grab Rabia’s things?” Kaikoura asked. Nasty looked between the two of them with a sly grin.

“Oooh, Rabia, what’re the deets? Did you find another sugar daddy?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows at her. His eyes fell on her wrist and his smile fell into a grim line. “Did he do that?”

“We just need you to get her backpack,” Kaikoura cut in. “Maybe her clothes, if you can. Please,” she added.

“Oh, and, um…” Rabia pulled the diamond off her finger. “Leave that in his office for him, would you?” He looked up at her and grinned, sharklike.

“No problemo,” he answered, weirdly cheerful. He pocketed the ring and walked towards the door.

“And for the love of everything, leave Ronnie out of it!” Rabia called. He gave her a half-hearted thumbs up and sauntered out.

--

Not long after his run in with Nasty, Finn went away to finishing school and Rabia felt safe to walk around Castle Town again. It took awhile, but as the months passed Rabia returned to her normal bubbly, stubborn self. Rabia was hanging out with Kaikoura, who had returned from her honeymoon, and they were on their way to visit Zelda at the castle. Kaikoura and Rabia chatted excitedly as they entered the throne room.

“Hey, Zeld-! Ohhh awkward…” Rabia said. The throne room was occupied, all the guards at attention. A large, red-haired man who looked vaguely familiar was kneeling before Zelda’s throne. “Sorry, we thought you had finished your meeting… it was really quiet in here. We can go.”

“No, it’s alright,” Zelda gestured them over. “King Ganondorf was just about to leave actually.” Kaikoura looked to the man suspiciously.

“Ganondorf?” she asked as the man rose to his feet.
“Don’t worry, Kaikoura. We’ve come to an agreement,” Zelda said. She nodded to Ganondorf respectfully.

“What kind of agreement?” Rabia asked, plopping down in Zelda’s throne after her friend stood. “Oh, this is not comfortable at all.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste at the hard, stone seat. Zelda sighed.

“Rabia, at least pretend to be professional,” she said, rolling her eyes. “What’s done is done. Thank you for your time, King Ganondorf.” She inclined her head towards him.

“The pleasure was all mine, Princess Zelda,” Ganondorf responded. He swept into a low bow. “It was nice meeting you Kaikoura, Rabia,” he inclined his head to them politely. Rabia couldn’t help but stare as his clever golden eyes met hers. He turned on his heel and left, his cloak billowing out behind him.

“...Damn. He knows how to make an exit. Are his entrances that good?” Rabia asked, tilting her head.

“He’s… theatrical,” Zelda answered. She shooed Rabia off her throne. Rabia jumped up and eyed her friend.

“There was a lot of tension in here… what’s going on?” she asked.

“I’m not sure yet,” Zelda answered. “We all need to keep an eye on him. He’s planning something.” After a moment she flashed a bright smile to her friends. “But we don’t have to worry about that right now - we have a sleepover to enjoy!”