No matter how many potions Zelda gave him it never seemed to help, only prolong the inevitable. She couldn't lose him, not now, not ever. He was too important to Hyrule, to its people, and to her. But no one knew what was wrong, or how to cure it. On that first day when Link had not been able to rise out of bed because of pure exhaustion she had sent letters forth to every doctor and potion chemist in Hyrule and the lands surrounding it, asking for help. Link had been amused by her concern, saying that it was not necessary, and that he was fine, but something had told her that it wasn't. By the time the doctors had gathered together at Hyrule Castle Link was immobile in his bed, damp with a cold sweat and barely breathing. They couldn't figure it out, no one could, they only knew that he had been struck by some horrible disease that would soon prove fatal. Fatal for Link, and for her, Zelda knew.

Spasms ran through Link as he fought to regain control, and his breath came in short and quick. The Tri-force mark on the back of his hand had turned black, giving off a crimson glow that hurt Zelda's eyes, but she stayed with him, each scream stabbing her heart like a thousand knives. She had tried to heal him with her spells, but to no avail. They only let her know how helpless she was to help him. Tears stained her pale face as she glanced over at the desk next to her, one covered with exotic herbs. She had sent riders from the castle to search the land for medicine plants that might prove useful, and they had responded with urgent eagerness. But it was useless, everything was useless. Nothing she could do or anything anyone else could do would ever help- she'd learned that in the past six sleepless days. Link screamed again, his hoarse voice echoing through the night, waking sad souls from their slumber. Zelda's people were aware of the terrible tragedy that would soon fall upon their princess and her hero, and they could only offer their undying support and sympathy to her.

His scream was cut short as he passed out, to Zelda's relief. He would not feel any pain for a time. It killed her that he hurt so much, that there was nothing that could numb his pain. She leaned down and rested her head on his chest, listening to the fading heartbeat. " No. " she said softly, as the beating slowed. " NO. " she said again, lifting her head. Link looked peaceful now, at ease, his handsome face almost smiling.

" No Link! You can't die on me! NO! You hear me?! You CAN'T! " Zelda screamed, hitting his chest in anger. His eyes opened half-way, and he looked at her with a mixed expression.

" Zelda? " he questioned weakly.
" Link. " Her heart skipped two beats and jumped to her throat. " I'm sorry...."
" Sorry for what? " she asked him softly, drenching him with her tears as she leaned over him, holding his hand.
" I'm sorry that I won't be able to protect you anymore. "Link told her quietly, and her eyes widened.
" Link, don't talk like that. You're going to be fine. And you have nothing to apologize for. "
" You always were a bad liar. " he remarked, smiling sadly.
" Please... Don't leave me... I need you... " Zelda choked out, and he gave her another one of his smiles, adorable at any other time but this.
" No you don't, not anymore. You just think you do. " Link tried to sit up, forgetting that he was tied down. Immediately Zelda unbuckled his restraints and helped him to sit up, sitting next to him, holding him up. " You-- " Link began, then inhaled sharply as his heart pinched in pain and a tremor slid up into his chest. He clenched his teeth, trying to keep still so as not to hurt the princess, until she would be safely out of the way. But instead she put her arms around him and held him tight, one hand holding his head against her shoulder so that it would not snap back.

Zelda gripped him in her arms with all her available strength, at once realizing just a little more the torture that Link was feeling. She could feel the tremor each time it rose up in him, almost sending her flying back from Link, and her sobs grew louder. " It's okay. " Link told her, in a moment of calm, his warm breath on her neck. She did not release him. " I'll always be with you. " He held up his hand, studying the black tri-force mark. " The tri-force of courage, I no longer have it. "

" What?" Zelda was stunned.
" See for yourself." Zelda loosened her grip on him long enough to look at his hand. It was fading away. The edges of the mark were disappearing, gradually making its way to the center.
" How?! Where is it going?! "
" If I had to guess, you probably have it now, Zelda. "
" But that doesn't make any sense! "
" You need it now. "
" Please...I..."Zelda began, but was unable to finish.
"Protect it for me. "he whispered, sliding from her arms. Zelda let him down gently, placing his head on the pillow.
" I can't, not without you. " she told him, heartbroken.
" Zelda, please...You know you have to and you will, now. "
" You're not going to leave me. "But she knew he would.
" Zel, I want you to know I've always...." Link faded off, his eyes closing.
Zelda panicked. " What? You've always what, Link? "she pressed, bringing his hand to her cheek.
Link coughed, painfully. " I....." he began, and was all he managed to say. Link was gone.

Zelda screamed in anguish as his last breath left him, and her sobs came anew. " LINK. Link...LIIIIIIIIIIIIINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " Across all of Hyrule, echoing throughout the Lost Woods and reaching deep beneath the blue waters of Lake Hylia every living creature heard Zelda's cry, and they knew then, that Link had passed away. Every Zora, Goron, Kokiri and Hylian hung their head in sadness for the hero that had left them, and for the princess that had loved him. Link was dead.

Zelda had an idea. In her moment of pure agony she knew what she had to do. " Rauru! " she called, " Sage of Light! Here my cry and please come to me in this moment of death. " she said, standing.

" The seventh sage needs your help. " Almost immediately a bright light lit up the room, and Rauru appeared at her request. He knew what she wanted, and would willingly agree. If he didn't, it would break the last bit of sanity she had and Hyrule would not only lose Link, but their princess.

" Zelda. I'm sorry. "
" I need your help. I need you to preserve Link's body while I find a cure for his sickness. "
" But there is no cure. " Rauru told her, shaking his white-haired head.
" I have to try! " Zelda replied furiously. " I know that it wasn't just some unfortunate happening that Link now lays here, dead. Someone poisoned him, and I have to find out who, and get a cure from that person. "
" And if you manage to do so? "
" Then I will resurrect Link and cure him. "
" Resurrection takes powerful magic that even you, the seventh sage, may not have the strength to do. Even if you can bring him back it may be too late for the cure. "
" It's never too late! And I know I can bring him back. I can't ask for help from the other sages-I know that they need their strength to continue holding back Ganondorf in his realm- but I can do this without them. I have to. So will you help me or not? "
" As you wish, wise one. And good luck to you. " Rauru replied, resigned. He lifted his arms to begin the spell but Zelda stopped him.
" Wait, before you go. " she said, and returned to Link's side. Zelda leaned slowly down and kissed the lips that were never truly hers, finding them still warm. Reluctantly she rose, and watched as Link's body disappeared before her eyes and Rauru's light left the room. Outside, the rain poured and the lightening flashed. Zelda glanced out the window at the streaks of energy, deciding that the triforce of courage would not go unused. She would find a cure, and Link would once again live.

Zelda stood by his grave for a long time after the service had been said and done, getting drenched by the rain that had made it so short. She knew he wasn't in there, but just the same she knew he wasn't alive. She had to save him, or else she would die. The unbearable pain she felt inside would surely kill her. The sages watched her from their place in the Chamber of Sages . Saria was crying while Nabooru tried to comfort her, and Ruto looked as if she was ready to join her.

" If I know her highness, nothing will stop her from finding a cure for Link." Impa said, crossing her arms. "That boy means too much to her."
" But she believes someone poisoned him, and is set for revenge as well."
" It is possible that she could know something that we would or could not, she does possess the triforce of wisdom."
" And now she has the triforce of courage as well."
" If only Ganondorf had lost the triforce of power before being sealed Zelda could make the world a paradise."
" It would never be possible. She would miss him too much, and never truly be happy."
" Could we help her? Find a cure for Link I mean?" Saria joined in, wiping away her tears. Nabooru nodded in agreement.
" I’ve always liked that kid. And it seems like Zelda won’t be able to hold her kingdom together without him.
" All right, help the princess in any way you can, but do not do it for her. She must be the one, if Link is to once again live." Rauru stated, relinquishing. "May the goddesses be with her."

After a long ride on Epona, the speedy horse that Link had gotten from Malon at Lon Lon ranch on his second seven years gone, she reached the fortress. She was glad that Link had taught her Epona’s song on the ocarina, because the journey would have been even longer if she had to have taken another horse. Link. She wished that she had told him all she had wanted to say before he had died. At her birthday ball would have been appropriate, but she hadn't even known her true feelings then. She remembered what had happened there with some regret and with some happiness.

* * *

She hoped that he appreciated what she was going through. Zelda had chosen to wear her best dress for her birthday ball, not only to look her finest but to get a certain someone’s attention. Now she was being poked and squished into her tightly corseted dress, and almost regretted choosing it; almost. She had to admit that she did look good, though. The light pink color of the dress did look comely with her pink lips and cheeks, and the front hem of the dress was high enough so that it wasn’t indecent, but low enough to show a hint of what was covered. The corset was tied with ivory-colored laces, and the straps of the dress hung around her shoulders, slimming down from an inch of thickness to only a centimeter where it was attached to the dress. The skirt part of her dress billowed out like a cloud, emphasizing the slimness of her waist, and she hoped that the dress was enough to catch his attention.

" My lady, what shall we do with your hair?" Anya, her lady in waiting asked. Zelda thought for a moment. He had told he that he liked her hair down, but that style was not suited for the dress.
" Pull it back and clip it with this." she told the girl, handing her the rose clip that Link had given her. " Then leave the rest hanging down in the back." Anya obliged, and soon Zelda was ready to make her entrance. She made a silent prayer before entering the ball room.

The music was loud and lively and the room was filled with laughter. Princess Zelda barely noticed the appreciative stares of the handsome noble men as she walked down the white carpet that led up to her throne; she was busy searching for Link, who she figured, would show up late. He was always fighting some type of monster, always defending Hyrule. Everyone smiled and bowed to her when she walked past them, and she tried to pay attention, but she was too anxious. Her father waited patiently for her to reach him, wondering all the while where Link was. He had asked him to do the honor of crowning Zelda in the birthday ceremony, and he was nowhere to be found.

* * *

Link had only been a few minutes late to the ball, he’d been there in plenty of time before Zelda would arrive anyway. But then he had seen movement up in the left balcony and immediately a warning signal had gone off in his head. He had taken the servant’s entrance up there and had found two stalfos, and now he was in a life or death battle with the annoying duo. He was doing his best to win the battle without getting hurt in the least, so that Zelda wouldn’t panic at her party, but it was very difficult in the cramped quarters of the balcony. He only needed to hit the stalfos once more with his blade before it would go down and prepared himself for the attack using his mirror shield. Catching him off guard, the other stalfos suddenly jumped over his head and behind him, and they began to close in. Link looked to his side and saw his escape. Jumping off the balcony he hit the floor in a roll then sprang up beside a stunned Zelda.

" Link, what is going on?" she asked, feeling a little confused for all her infinite wisdom.
" Stalfos in the balcony. Happy birthday Zel." Link replied, and on cue the two stalfos followed his lead and jumped down next to him. The guest ran to the edges of the room in horror as Link circled around the undead enemies, protecting himself with his shield. Zelda ran behind her throne with her father close behind and she watched Link fight the stalfos with more fear for his life than she had ever felt before. Link surged forward and stabbed the stalfos as it was mounting an attack. It disappeared. The second one came after him, jumping over his head again. But this time, Link was ready and he was already there with a slash of his sword, and the stalfos were gone.

He sheathed his sword and slung his shield over his back once more, turning to the king and princess with a bow. " Your majesties." he said, trying not to grin. The king was outraged, but not at him, at the guards who hadn’t been watching the entrance to the castle well enough while the guests had been arriving. He patted Link on the back and hurried off to chat with them. Meanwhile, the guests had resumed their conversations and dancing, commenting on the fearless hero, Link. They were wrong however, he did have one fear.

" Link." Zelda said, feeling a little awkward now that her father was gone and the danger was over.
" Zel." Link tried to look her over without appearing to do so, succeeding when Zelda looked down at the floor, her cheeks rosy with shyness.
" I wondered where you were." she said, looking up and meeting his eyes.
He shrugged. " I was here, but then the stalfos..." He trailed off, trying not to stare at her.
" Wonderful creatures, are they not?" Zelda replied with a sardonic smile.
"Yeah, lots of fun." Link replied, grinning.

They remained smiling at each other for a moment before Zelda said, " You can put your equipment by the thrones if you would like." Link nodded, and unbuckling the belt holding his sword he shrugged of the rest of his weapons and took off his shield. After a second there was a small mound between the thrones. " Feel better?" Zelda asked, half-smiling.

" Much, thank you."
" Remember, you’re no longer my bodyguard tonight, only my most honored guest for this evening." Link nodded and stretched out his arms, feeling the freedom of his muscles with relief. His equipment was heavy. Zelda watched his arms go wide and stifled the urge to dive into them and throw her arms around him, instead taking the time to study him. He wore a white silk jacket embroidered with gold and clasped with tiny gold tri-forces at the neck and wrists, and it fit him perfectly. She could have stared at his heavenly body for hours if she was able. But she wouldn’t get the chance to hold or watch him, for at that moment Saria’s voice rang out, " Link! There you are!"

Link turned to greet his friend and she greeted him and Zelda back, and Zelda sighed in disappointment as Link said, " Hi Saria. What’s up?"
" I heard there was a battle. Stalfos?" she said, standing before him and Zelda. " Yeah, two, in the left balcony. Gone now."
" Thanks to the hero of time." Zelda added, giving Link a grateful look. Saria looked curiously from Link to Zelda then replied, " Yes, he’s always there when you need him. But come Link, Ruto, Nabooru and Malon want to talk with you."

Link nodded and turned to look at Zelda, for permission she knew. She was hit by a variety of feelings. She didn’t want to seem mean and say no, and she couldn’t possible say no to Link anyways, but she didn’t want him to leave her. Plus, she wondered if her wanted to leave her, if he didn’t want to be with her, and preferred the sages and Malon. Malon. She knew that Malon claimed to love Link, had told her once when she and the other girls had come over for a picnic with her and Link. When Link had left for a moment she had said it, but it was easy to tell anyways. Saria, Ruto, and Nabooru had seemed glad for her, and had encouraged her, but Zelda had felt very uneasy, and had been anxious for the picnic to end and to have Link for herself. She knew that that was selfish, but couldn’t help it.

" Go on." she told him, her heart screaming, no no no no no. He frowned slightly and held out his hand to her. She was torn. She gave him her hand and he lifted it to his mouth and kissed it. Her knees went weak and her heart stopped beating.

" Zel? Come with me." Link said, still holding her hand. She was loathe to pull it away but she did. Link looked a little surprised, and almost hurt, but he didn’t say anything.
" I can’t. With father gone I should stay by my throne."
" Alright. I’ll be back." She wished he would. He gave her a smile and followed Saria to where the sages and Malon stood waiting. Zelda watched as Malon threw her arms around Link and kissed him on the cheek, her heart twinging. She couldn’t bare to see anymore and turned away, eyes filling with tears. She leaned on the back of her throne, trying not to cry.
" What ever is the matter princess?" Impa asked, from behind.
" Nothing, nothing at all." she replied, wiping her eyes.
" Does this have anything to do with Link?" Impa asked her forlorn princess. Zelda turned and lifted her chin with an attempt at indignation.
" No. Why would it? Why should I care that Link cares little for me and a lot for everyone else?" she replied, dropping her chin, as her denial diminished.
" Did he say that to you?" Impa looked shocked.
" No, but it feels that way."
" Did you ever think that maybe he feels the same way about you? That he thinks that you don't care for him?"
Zelda looked dismayed. "No. Why would he think that? I....."
" Well you obviously think that he doesn’t care for you." Zelda didn’t reply, but frowned instead.
" I suggest you make sure that he knows how you feel. He may think that you don’t care for him and so doesn’t want to bother you. You never know."
" But I lo----." Zelda began, then stopped herself, surprised. Impa looked at her, stunned.
" What?"
" Never mind."
" Very well your highness. I will leave you be. Think about what I’ve said."
" Yes, Impa." Zelda replied, and she left. Reluctantly Zelda found herself watching Link and Malon again. They were holding hands. She felt as though she were being stabbed through the heart and leaned against her throne once more, fearing she would fall, and buried her head in her arms.

Link was a little surprised when Malon had kissed him on the cheek, and even more so now when she had slipped her hand into his own. He looked at her, confused, and she smiled prettily up at him. He didn’t want to be rude and take his hand away, and so left it there, feeling more than a little uncomfortable. As Nabooru was talking about some new training program the Gerudo tribe had started his mind wandered to Zelda. God, she looked so beautiful tonight. Now that his mind had wandered, so did his eyes, and he found himself looking up at where Zelda stood with the thrones. Panic seized him when he saw her leaned over, head in her arms and without thinking he pulled his hand away from Malon and raced up the white carpet and stairs to reach her. Malon stared after him in hurt surprise and everyone else with odd expressions.

" Zelda?!" Link called, his voice catching. Many people heard him and looked at him strangely, as well as Zelda, who startled, straightened and looked at him imploringly.
" Link? What is it?"
" Are you alright?"
" I’m fine. Why?"
" You were leaned over and-." He let off, unsure of what to say, feeling a little foolish. But then he saw the tears in her eyes. " What’s the matter?"
Zelda blinked. The matter? Everything. " Nothing."
" You’re crying." Link brushed a fallen tear away with one of his fingers and she closed her eyes at the touch, producing more.
" I’m trying not to." she said, opening her eyes. Everyone was staring. " Please. Everyone is staring."
" Come with me, and tell me what is wrong." he replied, taking her hand within his own and leading her off towards the back side door. Soon they were in the hall, lit by fiery torches. Link didn’t let go of her hand. " Why are you crying?" " Please, Link."
" Zel...Whatever’s upset you I can make it go away."
" Not this time."
" Zelda? What is it?"

That would have been the perfect time to have told him how she felt, but she couldn't, not because of Malon, but because she had lacked the courage. Now she had the courage but he wasn't alive to tell, and the reason she had it. Lost in her memories she didn't realize that she had reached the Gerudo fortress. She entered it quite easily, but the real trial would come when the Gerudo saw her.

" Halt! Who goes there?!" she heard a Gerudo warrior call, and instantly she was surrounded by a dozen or so Gerudo. " Who are you, prisoner?" The leader asked, a Gerudo with red hair that reached to her knees.
" I've come to train with you, if you find me strong enough." Zelda replied, lowering her voice slightly so that they wouldn't recognize her.
" Train with us? You must be crazy."
" At least let me fight you to prove myself."
" Alright. Nella!" The leader shouted, and another Gerudo stepped forward, a rather young looking one who seemed eager to prove herself against Zelda. Zelda put down all of her weapons, well, the weapons that Link had used, except for her sword, preparing for battle. The Gerudo leader shook her head.
" You will fight with the weapon that we choose. The staff. " she said, tossing one to Zelda. Zelda dropped her sword and caught the staff, not the least bit worried about using a new weapon, silently thanking the tri-force of courage. Nella charged at her with her own weapon and Zelda stepped out of the way and hit her across the back. She felt a little guilty for hurting the girl, but it was all for a good cause. Nella grunted and came at her again with serious of swings. Zelda blocked them all and got a hit of her own, knocking the staff out of the girls hands. She looked up at Zelda, surprised and angry, then bowed and moved behind her leader.
" Nella is only a rookie, and hasn't been training long. Her defeat is nothing to be proud of." The leader said, stepping forward and picking up the fallen staff. " I will face you now. I am Hestis, leader of the Gerudo tribe."

Zelda felt fear now, but then thought of Link. She had never seen him afraid, well, maybe a few times, usually in his concern for her safety, but never truly fear. She readied her staff. Hestis came at her with a serious of harsh blows that left her hands stinging from holding the staff, but she held on. She tried to get on the offense but Hestis slapped one of her hands and Zelda let go of one end. The Gerudo warrior laughed. Link. Zelda thought his name and grabbed back her staff. Hestis looked at her in surprise.

" You still want to fight though you are clearly not a match for me?" she said, leaning on the end of her own staff rather lazily.

Link. Zelda felt him in her heart and swung at Hestis. Hestis blocked it effortlessly. LINK. Her heart was screaming for him now. She attacked Hestis again and again and again. Link. Link Link Link Link Link Link Link Link Link. " Link Link Link LINK LINK LINK LINK LINK LINK LINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Zelda screamed his name over and over, her attacks growing stronger as well as the pain and longing in her heart. Hestis staff flew out of her hands and she looked at Zelda in disbelief as she continued screaming the Hero of Times name.
Zelda collapsed in tears, her voice going so hoarse from screaming that soon she could only whisper his name. The Gerudo gathered round her in confusion, then a voice said, " Princess Zelda." Everyone stood in wonder, staring at the stranger they now knew was the princess of Hyrule. There grew a silence as the Gerudo parted to let the sage of spirit through. It was Nabooru who had spoken .

" Zelda." Nabooru said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Zelda looked up through her tears, Links name still on her lips. " Link." she whispered.
" I know. Come with me."

* * *

" It’s nothing, really." Zelda told him, drying her eyes.
" You can’t lie to me Zel. Something is wrong." Link replied, his voice full of concern.
" Link." She loved his name, just saying it, feeling the motions of it on her tongue, made her happy.
" Tell me." He said, dipping his head to get her attention. She looked up at him, into his eyes, feeling her heart skip.
" Just know that I care about you, Link, and I always will. " Zelda told him, and his expression changed from that of concern to worry.
" What are you talking about Zel?" Link asked. He didn’t know what to think at that moment.
" Please, Link. I want you to know that you mean a lot to me, and if anything ever happened to you...." Zelda couldn’t finish; she began to cry. Instantly Link dropped her hand and put his arms around her, hugging her tight. She sobbed on his shoulder, holding him in her arms, aware of the smooth, strong muscles of his back under her hands. When she was under control she reluctantly moved out from his grasp, not wanting it to be him to pull away and wreak havoc on her confused heart and mind.
" I’m going to freshen up. I can’t go out there looking like this. There’d be too many questions."
" Let me go with you, there were stalfos here before, and I don’t want you by yourself." Link said.
" I’ll be fine, go enjoy the ball."
" Zel......." Link wasn’t eager to leave her alone.
" I command you, as Princess of Hyrule, and the seventh sage, to return to the ball." She said, and even at this he refused to leave. " That’s treason, you know." Zelda told him, and he grinned.
"At least let me run and check the way before you go."
" Always a body guard, never a---." She stopped.
" Never a what?"
" Never mind. Fine, go look if you want to." She said hastily, and he did so, returning within the next minute. " Is it safe?" She asked, and Link nodded.
" It still makes me uneasy, you being alone."
" I’ll be perfectly safe." Zelda replied, and curtsied. Link shook his head as she left him for her room.

* * *

" So I need to find a cure." Zelda finished, taking a sip of the warm drink Nabooru had given her.
" I know. Rauru told us of your intentions."
" I came to the Gerudo to train with them."
" It doesn't look like you have much to learn."
" I’m nowhere near as good as Link is."

Nabooru noted the present tense. " All it takes is practice. Visit the temples. Fight the enemies there, follow Link’s path. I expect he told you of his travels?"
" He did, that first day we returned to our own time, after he defeated Ganondorf. He wasn’t sure if it had all really happened. It seemed to impossible. He didn’t know if anyone would remember what he had done."
" But you did."
" How could I forget? When he came to see me, making his way once more past all the guards to the garden where I was, we stared at each other in disbelief for a good five minutes. I couldn’t believe he had come to see me again, why would he? I had caused him so much trouble. But I was glad he came. I had hoped he would."
" What did he tell you?"

* * *

" Link....." The little princess known as Zelda said softly, once she got over her shock at seeing him once more. She didn’t think he’d want to, that he’d want to go back to how his life used to be.
" Zelda?" His voice was so soft and young, so boyish. It was hard to believe that this ten year old boy had defeated the king of evil. Looking back at him, Zelda remembered him as being adorable.
" What are you doing here?" She asked, and Link scuffed his foot and looked down at the ground, embarrassed. The little girl realized then how that sounded and hurried to him. " I didn’t think you’d want to see me, after all the trouble I’ve caused you." Link looked relieved. " Was it all real? No one remembers anything." " I do. Thank you again."
" You’re welcome."
" Come sit." She said to him, then sat down on the grass by the flowers. Link sat down beside her.
" Navi’s gone."
" I’m sorry."

LINK! Navi’s voice called, and he looked up suddenly to see her floating above is head. He grinned with happiness. Zelda looked up as well, then back at Link, a mixed expression on her face. Even as a child she wished that she could make him smile with joy at the sight of her. It had always been a longing never fully realized or understood, but she did now.

" Navi! I thought you had left me for good."
The Deku tree sprout told me to stay with you. He said that the danger isn’t over yet.
" Not over yet?!" Zelda and Link exclaimed together and Navi fluttered. He said that there is always someone to fight, and that you’ll need my help while you’re still little.
At this Zelda and Link relaxed considerably. I just came to tell you that. But right now I have to go, but I'll be back soon. Promise! With that, Navi flew away.
" Did she help you a lot?" Zelda asked, not knowing exactly what to say.
" Sometimes. But other times she would scare me to death by talking suddenly in the middle of a battle, or tell me things I already knew."
" Oh."
" But you helped me out the most. You taught me the ocarina songs so that I could get to the temples."
Zelda smiled. " I’m glad. What were the temples like?"
" The forest temple had four Poe sisters that I had to catch in order to face Phantom Gannon. I also got the fairy bow there. That wasn’t so bad. What I really hate are the wall masters. They give me the creeps." Link continued on, explaining in detail his trip through the forest temple.

There was only one way to find out about the keys. Zelda used the longshot to pull herself up the ivy along the wall, then climbed over to the top of the tree. A small wooden chest sat on the tree across from her. She knew then that she would have to complete the whole temple. Zelda pulled out her ocarina and played Saria’s song, which Link had also taught her, along with the other songs she didn’t know. Saria’s voice answered, " Zelda? Can you hear me?"

No, I can’t, I’m deaf, Zelda thought with annoyance. She had no patience in a time like this. "Yes, Saria. What is going on with the temple?"
" There have always been keys, and locked doors to protect it, but I have used my powers to recreate the temple that Link faced."
" I feel like I’m wasting my time. I should be searching for the one who hurt him." Though deep down she knew that she would go through the temple. Something pulled her there.
" And he will hurt you if you’re not prepared."
" Very well. I’ll do it." It was not Saria’s words that made her decide though, it was her own feelings.

* * *

She was back in the ball room, back at her throne. Her father had not returned yet, and Link was nowhere to be seen. She saw Malon dancing with a young noble man, smiling sweetly up at him, and Nabooru dancing with another. The man she was with looked almost afraid, and Zelda couldn’t help smiling.

" Have you seen Link anywhere?"
Zelda turned to answer Saria’s question. " I saw him about twenty minutes ago, but I was just wondering where he was myself."
" I hope he hasn’t gotten into any more trouble." The Kokiri girl frowned, then brightened. " There he is. With your father, coming in."

Zelda followed her gaze and saw that Link was entering the ballroom the way her father had left, carrying a small golden chest. Her father was deep in conversation with him, but Link caught her gaze and grinned, then winked mischievously. It was then that she realized the box he carried was the one that contained her seventeenth year of birth coronation crown. Every year on her birthday she was crowned once more as Princess of Hyrule, though it wouldn’t much matter if she wasn’t, but her father liked to have parties, and this was a good excuse for one. Each year, the crown contained one more diamond then the last on a beautiful gem encrusted tiara, and for every diamond, it meant that she was getting closer to being queen, unless she married first.......

She wondered what Link was doing with her crown and gave him a questioning look, to which he only grinned even wider. Saria voiced her thoughts. " What is he doing with your crown Zelda? You don't think he’s going to be the one to crown you, do you? I thought your father did that."
" He does do it every year. Hmmm." She waited as Link and the king came up to the thrones and Link set down the chest on the table between them, then her father called for silence. Saria immediately went down the steps and out of the way as the crowd of guests became hushed.
"I would like to thank you all for coming, ladies and gentlemen of the court and esteemed guests, to this year's celebration of my daughter’s birth. As you know, the honor of crowning my daughter has always been one that I have not bestowed upon anyone but myself, but this year, I have decided to give that honor to a young man who has earned much more than we could possibly give. To him, we owe everything, our lives and our future, for he is the Hero of Time, who although none remember, but see it just the same, defeated the evil Ganondorf and saved my daughter’s life." The king paused, glancing briefly at Link, who was focusing on keeping a serious expression instead of the goofy grin that was trying to take over. Zelda exhaled deeply and realized that she had been holding her breath. Her heart was pounding with some emotion she wasn’t quite sure of-Link was going to crown her....
" I felt that on this day, that Link should be the one to crown my Zelda on her seventeenth birthday, knowing that soon she shall be queen ."

With that said, the King of Hyrule turned and opened the gold box, and brought out the crown. What he said next was a blur to Zelda, her eyes, mind, and heart were focused on Link. She only realized that her father had finished his speech when he handed the crown to Link, and Zelda barely even saw how beautiful it was. Her father stood back, between the thrones and in front of the table, as Link walked slowly up to Zelda, holding her crown in his strong, ungloved hands. She knew what she had to do, and curtsied before him with her head lowered.

" I have only been able to defeat all the danger I have faced because of the lady who believed in me when all others did not, knowing that she would be there in my times of trouble, and in my darkest moments. And it was in those moments that I struggled to prevail, because I could not fail the seventh sage, a girl I would die to protect."

At Link’s words, a murmur of rumors ran through the guests that rose and spread like a wild-fire. Saria’s mouth dropped open, Malon pouted with a sniff of her nose and a cross of her arms, Nabooru and Ruto smiled knowingly at each other, and Impa nodded with satisfaction. The king grinned excitedly, his heart burning with pride, and Zelda, Zelda was not aware of anyone else except for the person who slowly and gently placed the tiara upon her head. She couldn’t think, she couldn't breathe. Did he mean that? Would he die for her? Did she want him to? Was it because he was her body guard and that was his job? What did he mean? A million questions ran through her head but they were just as suddenly dispelled when she straightened and Link took her hand within his own and brought it to his mouth, placing a gentle kiss upon it. A sigh of pleasure went through the crowd by the ladies of the court, except for a few, and sighs of disappointment by the men.

The King walked around the pair, not wanting to disrupt them, and said, " And now, we shall celebrate this blessed event with a particular song that I think all shall enjoy." At that moment, the opening notes to a very familiar song, at least for Link and Zelda, began to play. A E EEAGFG, A E EEAG#F#G#. A tune very familiar to all, from the very first adventure Link experienced.
Still holding Zelda’s hand Link asked, " Dance with me?"

Zelda nodded slowly and he began to lead her onto the dance floor, the crowd parting slightly to let them through. When they reached the center of the dance floor Link stopped, and put his left arm around her waist, still holding her right. Zelda slowly placed her left hand on his shoulder and they began to waltz to the sound of the famous song. Some composer had rewritten it as a very catchy waltz that made Zelda’s heart soar as she danced with the person that it had been made for.

" I have a gift for you, but I didn’t put it with the others." Link told her, as they danced. There was a large table in the corner of the room filled with presents for her that Zelda could really care less about.
" You didn’t have to..." Zelda began, and Link rolled his eyes.
" Come on Zel, it’s because I want to, not because I have to."
" Alright. Any hints on what it is?" She always played this game with him, and only after she had been given the gift did the clues make any sense.
" It will last forever." Link told her with a grin.
" Was it expensive?" If she had asked any other person but him that question it would have been considered rude, but this was Link.
" Actually, I profited from getting it." That meant he had gotten it after fighting many enemies and getting rupees from them.
" Is it a Deku stick?" Zelda asked with a smile. Link laughed.
" No, but it’s related to one."

Zelda’s brow wrinkled slightly in thought, and in some distant world she heard the music change to a very slow melody. Instantly she was aware of Link letting go of her hand and she feared that that was the end of her dance with him. Link placed the now free hand around her waist as well and Zelda drew her arms around his neck in response. Almost immediately she was drawn closer to his body, and with a happy sigh rested her head on his muscled shoulder. She could feel the soft rise and fall of his chest against her and didn’t dare lift her head and risk the close proximity of where their lips would be, knowing that it wasn’t as romantic as she thought it was.

" All out of guesses? " Link asked, after a while, his warm breath tickling her neck. Zelda smiled into his shoulder then lifted her head slightly.
" I guess so." She could almost hear his grin. She lowered her head back down and adjusted her arms around Link’s neck and was slightly surprised when her hips pressed against his through her dress. A shock went through her body very suddenly and Zelda inhaled sharply. The longing for him was there inside of her, deep and strong, and she knew that she would have to pull away from him now or lose control. Luckily, the song was just ending, and Zelda released him as the crowd of dancers on the floor dispersed, finding new partners.
" Thank you, Link." She said, holding her hands behind her back and smiling up at him. He quirked an eyebrow.
" For what?"
" Everything. Just, thank you." Zelda said meaningfully.
" Your welcome, then." Link replied, still a little confused. Zelda nodded and began to walk away. " Zelda?" Link said softly, stopping her.
" Yes?"
" I meant what I said."

* * *

Zelda was glad she had decided to train at the forest temple first. She didn’t have to worry about lava or drowning, and the enemies here were fairly easy to beat. Link had been right, wall masters were really creepy, and the rooms with those were the only ones that slowed her down. She had managed to catch the four Poe sisters, and was on her way to face the reenactment of phantom Ganon. That was the only enemy she wasn’t sure she was capable of defeating.

After taking the elevator down and pushing the stone block around, Zelda reached the room where the paintings that Ganon galloped through during the battle were hung. Upon entering, a shudder ran through her body and her heart began to pound. Something was wrong. Instead of the feeling of evil that she knew wasn’t real, this evil unmistakably was, but twisted in some way, almost.....hmmmm. Going against all logic, Zelda went up the stairs, only to be locked in by the iron fence. A hideous laughter began to sound and she stiffened, dread of what she was about to face filling her heart.

" What do you think you’re doing here?" A voice suddenly asked, low and menacing, and almost familiar.
Zelda jumped. " Who are you?"
The laughter boomed across her soul. " Wouldn’t you like to know."
" Well at least let me see you." She was not so much afraid anymore as she was annoyed.
" I don’t think so, not yet anyway." The voice became almost thoughtful.
" If you expect me to fight you, you need to come out."
" You’re rather cocky, princess."
Zelda gasped. " How...?"
" How did I know you were Zelda? I’ve been watching you from time to time, with interest I might add, and your heart reeks of him, the Kokiri-clad fool."
Link. Zelda took a breath before answering. " He is not a fool."
" To have died the way he did and you say he’s not a fool?" The laughter came again.
" What are you talking about?" Zelda’s heart began to race. How could he have been watching her? " I was there the day he died and I’ll be there the day you revive him."
" What?" That caught Zelda off-guard, but at the same time it made her blood run hot with hope.
" You know what I’m talking about, Zel. Someone poisoned our good friend Link and you are on a quest for the antidote so that you can revive him."
" How do you know that?" How could anyone besides a few trusted friends know that? Or was this mysterious new evil attempting to egg her on a wild goose-chase, not knowing any of what she knew?
" I told you, I’ve been watching you. Haven’t you felt it?" Zelda thought for a moment. She didn’t remember seeing anyone that looked potentially dangerous. " Come on, I know your smarter than that, keeper of the Triforce of Wisdom." The voice said mockingly. " The darkness by his bed, his tombstone, the chill around you at night..."

At his words, Zelda remembered. There had been a darkness by Link when he died, a mournful one, and one by his grave. And at night, when she had left, there had been a chill that never left her, though she had failed to realize it. It was something noticed only by the part of the mind that was still willing to perceive anything, the part of her heart that made her recall it, the part that contained the triforce of courage. It had seemed so insignificant compared to the tragedy she had been through, and hadn’t even picked up upon it. She had felt nothing but pain, had seen nothing but Link’s face when he had died. Everything else was a blur. But when whoever he was or it was made her remember, she did. But she remembered only seeing shadows.

" I remember, but I still don’t understand."
" Has the triforce of courage blocked the wisdom? Never mind. After a while you’ll understand. Just learn to trust yourself, and who knows, maybe you‘ll trust me. I’m not what you think I am. I think you‘ll be surprised."
" What are you here to do? Fight me, talk to me, help me, what?" The evil that Zelda had felt before had melted, and she wasn’t sure anymore if it truly had been evil.
" A little of all, for fun. You’ll figure it out soon enough. But before you see me, have some fun with this guy."
Zelda frowned, and suddenly there was a flash of green light. When she opened her eyes, there was one very large stalfos in front of her, grinning evilly at her. " Your not very imaginative, are you?" She asked, and was answered by a low chuckle. " Give me time."

Zelda didn’t answer as the stalfos suddenly attacked. She had to be careful not to get hit. If he got her, that would be the end. She blocked his hit with her shield and made an attack of her own. She got in a good shot to the chest.

" Bravo." The voice said, and Zelda heard something that sounded like vague clapping. Strangely enough, it didn’t make her angry. She stabbed the stalfos again as it prepared for the attack. " How long have you been fighting? Oh yes, Link trained you a bit, didn’t he?" Zelda sighed and got in another hit, then another. Two more hits for this bigger than normal stalfos and it would be gone. She got in the two hits.

" Well done."
" Thanks." Zelda replied dryly. There was a pause.
"Zelda?"
" What?"
" I meant what I said."