Alrighty, so I know a lot of you have been waiting well over a year for me to update…well guess what!? Hehehe…I….DID! And guess what, there's a lovely little surprise at the end! Hehehehehe! I just finished writing these 7 LONG pages of awesomeness just a ½ hour ago, so I do hope you all enjoy it! I know my writing isn't like what it used to be, so just bear with me! I sort of rushed through a few parts to keep the chapter from being too long to read, we all know how sore our butts get! Anyway, I normally respond to the reviewers, but there were a LOT and I just want to thank EVERYONE who commented! Thanks you guys!

As for the surprise at the end, I'll keep you all updated on it! Soooooooo yeah, like I said earlier, 7 PAGES of AWESOMENESS! So please! Stop reading me and start reading…THAT! points below the opening paragraphs And enjoy!

Chapter 20

His Final Thoughts

His grim presence as a shadow was more frightening than Ganondorf's minions, though he took Link's form. Despite this, Zelda felt an odd attraction towards Link's shadow. It was wrong to have such feelings, but perhaps this was because his shadow did derive from Link himself. Whatever the case may be, she felt deep down that she could trust him over Marth or anyone of Altea.

She felt his chilling touch run down her spine as his cold dirty fingers gently lingered over her naked shoulder. Even his breath was chilling, but his voice was soothing to hear. Her hair, like strands of gold silk, gave him the scent of desire. She knew she would have to bargain with him, but to what ends?

Then the pressing of his cold body against her made her shiver and back away. She almost tried to make a run for it, but Link's shadow grabbed her wrist and yanked her to him. Surprisingly, she found his other hand gently stroking the base of her jaw line with his thumb tenderly brush over her bottom lip.

"I won't bring harm to you, my princess," his rasping voice whispered into her long slender ear.

"You're his darker side," she started taking deep breaths, "How can I trust your word?" His eyes met hers. It was like they were invading her soul, stripping its courage to a frightened helpless creature.

"By the words on my lips," his eyes fell down to her lips and then back up, "And on yours too." Her body almost trembled in his arms; she didn't know why, but the sound of his voice, the way he held her, this confidence and arrogance his darker side possessed, she was captivated by it. He leaned to her ear.

"I swear you can trust me," he whispered. He parted from her ear slowly, turning his face to meet hers. They were so close; their lips. She felt his cold breath as his eyes caught hers. He kept looking back at her lips again. He wanted to kiss her again, badly.

"I will not forsake the Triforce or my throne," she uttered, resisting his charm.

"You believe that is what I require of you?" His eyebrow rose slightly with a smirk on his face. Her head nodded still keeping eye contact.

"Well, perhaps I should seek something else," his eyes wandered back to her lips. Finally, he made his move; he leaned closer to her, but stopped just before they touched.

His fingers were separating their lips from touching, but he still kept gaze on her pink lips. For a moment, he just looked at her. He began unfolding the thoughts in his head of what could be more bliss than kissing Link's only love; his desire.

"You will kiss me twice," he said, "Once before your escape, the last after."

She hesitated a little, but came to her decision. Her head nodded again, but before their pact was made, he spoke again.

"And I want it to be a real kiss," his words made her confused. "I am only a shadow, a shadow that holds no emotion or feeling. I wish to feel that kiss, both of them."

Zelda knew what to do; she'd have to kiss him as if he was really Link, not his shadow form. It wouldn't be too hard, considering he was already in Link's form. She tilted her head ever so slightly and his leaned in closer to hers.

Her hand slowly made its way up to the shadow's neck as the other rested on his half bare chest. She gently curled his hair between her fingers at his neck, while his hands pulled her back and waist closer to his body, making their embrace tight and locked. Then finally, their lips sealed their pact.

Everything was prepared in the main hall where the ceremony was about to take place. Marth, in his proper ceremonial garbs, waited patiently before the alter along with the priest. The hall was packed with Alteans, but no Hylians besides Link existed. Ganondorf sat alone in the sidelines, also waiting for the ceremony to begin. The Gerudo King eyed every nook and cranny of the hall. No where was his shadow minion seen. This began to agitate the dark king greatly.

The seconds seemed like minutes, the minutes seemed like hours. Never has a group of people so eager to see their future queen waited so patiently, but none far more patient than the Prince Marth.

Finally, three of Marth's soldiers, including the Captain Falcon, approached the sidelines along with the prisoner Link. From the looks of it, Link had been bandaged and kept in better health since the last few days. Marth kept an eye on Link; both of their bloods boiled within their veins. A great hatred grew between them, a hatred stirred by jealousy and vengeance.

Marth knew he had won. The Princess Zelda being his and Ganondorf taking Link away and likely killing him soon after. There wasn't anything Link could do, but helplessly wait those long painful minutes. Or was there?

The brassy trumpets started to play as the large patient crowd turned to see their future queen. Large oak doors creaked open as a shower of white petals twirled and soared through the opening. Streams of glistening eyes were upon the opening and out walked several maidens and three guards on each of Zelda's side.

The maidens, being closer to the alter, stopped and gave their bows, while the guards, also stopped, but closer to the entrance. Zelda stood before Marth and his people. Her eyes wandered, searching for the only person she had wished to be with for the rest of her life.

Ganondorf looked over her way and saw a set of red eyes just behind Zelda in the shadows. They made eye contact and with a slight nod from the Gerudo King, the eyes closed and quickly vanished. He had found his shadow minion.

Link, breaking his glare from Marth, turned to Zelda with the most adoring blue eyes. He so desperately wanted to hold her, to take her away from all of this treachery. Finally, his princess's eyes met his. Her love was still undying and ever so strong, he knew he would never give up on her.

The Altean prince, seeing this, cleared his throat for his attention from the priest. After his command, the priest started singing the Altean hymn. A long sorting of vowels and beautiful enunciation echoed through the ears of every living thing inside. Zelda, along with the three soldiers at each side, began stepping towards the Prince of Altea. The Hylian princess couldn't help, but hold her gaze on Link; it was as if she was marrying him and not Marth.

Marth's anger grew fiery at Zelda and jealousy fanned the flame even more so with Link. After waiting a few more steps, Zelda was at the alter presented to Marth. The priest gave his final chant and Marth, with his hand, guided Zelda's face to his own. He turned his head back to Link. Link now had a hateful look planted on his face, but Marth returned only with a simple smile.

After the priest gave his first verse of the scripture, Zelda subtly peered over to see her love, Link. She barely mouthed him the words, 'I love you…' Link returned his silent call to her as well, but before Marth could move her back into place, she noticed something in Falcon's hand. It was a key and he was starting to quietly unlock Link's chains. She looked back at Link and saw a cunning smile on his face. Link was up to something.

Zelda quickly looked back up at the priest and then to Marth. Their eyes were locked; she knew breaking eye contact with him might foil whatever Link was planning, so she kept her gaze.

The priest gave his last words and presented a velvet pillow of deep red with two bands tied to it. Then something stirred within Marth. It was a feeling. His eyes blinked open as if a thought struck him hard. Zelda saw this and worried he may be suspecting foul play, the princess couldn't help but break their silence between them.

"Marth?" She whispered to him.

Marth felt it; it was love, true love. But realizing how much he loved her, he knew marrying her and keeping her from Link would devastate her greatly. He felt the feeling of wanting to make her happy, even if it meant sacrificing his own. His hatred of Link, caused by jealousy, still stirred, but now he saw it clearly. Link would make her happy, Link would love her and she would love him. He couldn't think of it anymore. He couldn't bear to be in her presence if he disappointed her. And it was that moment that Zelda had tamed his inner beast.

"Zelda…" He whispered back to her. She saw something wonderful in his eyes, a sort of tenderness Marth had never shown before. Then his lips spoke once more, "I am so sorry, I cannot do this to you…"

Before Zelda could even respond, she found a hand grabbing Marth and another pulling her away. A sword with a cold bare blade was in front of Marth and at the other end of it, was a war torn Hylian man armed with a sword and a glare that would stab a million souls.

"You will not have my Zelda," the only words that could sound so fierce, so demanding, yet full determination, it was like hearing the astounding roar of a great red lion. His hand gripped the sword as his other held his princess. Zelda could say or think nothing, but her breath grew tremendously into short quick ones.

Ganondorf was the first to stand up; for the first time, he was actually worried. He wanted Zelda and Marth to marry so he can slay Marth and take Zelda for his own and then he would rule not only Hyrule, but Altea as well. The Gerudo King drew his blade, the Vendetta, and made his way up to Link.

"Yes, he will," Ganondorf pointed his sword up at Link. Why didn't he just kill Link right there? Link was wide open and vulnerable to his blade. Zelda figured it out; Ganondorf needed Link for something, the question was what?

"I love her, Link," Marth spoke gently, "I do. But she cannot love me in return. She loves and is devoted to you. I cannot lie to myself or to her. My wish is only to love her and give her whatever she pleases. You, Link." With that, Marth knelt to him putting Link almost in a state of confusion. He started to lower his sword and backed down.

Ganondorf saw the opportunity and seized it; with his free hand, he motioned in the air and Zelda was pulled from Link's arms into his own. Link quickly pointed his word to the Gerudo as Marth drew his sword at him as well.

"Ah! No!" Zelda yelped, struggling against Ganondorf massive muscles. The two suitors came rushing to her aid.

"Come closer if you wish her dead!" The two stopped at Ganondorf's threat. His long massive blade was still drawn, but this time with a princess in his other arm.

"You wouldn't kill her," Link spat, "You need her power and her influence!" Link referring to her throne and Triforce of Wisdom.

"Touché," Ganondorf smirked at Link, but then began chanting a dark spell. Link lunged forward to the two, but the Gerudo pushed Zelda away and with his free hand he had cast the princess to sleep. A cloaked minion with red eyes caught the princess before she fell. Both Link and Marth saw this, but only a glimpse of what the minion looked like were they taken aback. Link's shadow smiled at his good form.

"Take her away," the Gerudo King ordered.

"With great pleasure…" Link's shadow hissed still eyeing the Hylian hero. Link leaped forward to take Zelda from him as Marth deflected Ganondorf's attack onto Link. However, the shadow was too quick. He stabbed Link just in the shoulder with a small thin dagger and made his way behind Ganondorf to make his escape with the princess.

Link winced in pain, but still went after his shadow and his princess. Ganondorf stopped both Marth and Link in their tracks. His sword swooshed to back them away, but Marth jumped over the blade as Link rolled around behind Ganondorf. The Hylian swirled up his sword, cutting the Gerudo's back as Marth made several stabs in his chest. Link then plunged his sword into Ganondorf's back making it a fatal blow.

However, nothing happened. Ganondorf only smiled and looked up at the two brave warriors. "Is that the best you can do?"

Instantly, Ganondorf swung his sword, not cutting but hitting Link back against the wall with his own blade still through Ganondorf's back. The second blow diced through the air into zigzags, but Marth could only deflect them for so long. Link saw there was little time for Marth; he rushed in, hopped over Ganondorf's back, pulling the sword out and joining Marth's deflections. They were beginning to move the King of Evil backwards, making progress to rescuing their princess.

After taking more blows from the two heroes, Ganondorf finally made his move. He raised his sword and threw a jolt of agonizing pain at them. The yellow cluster of sharp jagged lights hit them both, paralyzing them for only a moment, but with excruciating pain. With this opportunity, Ganondorf made his marks on the men. He came for them with his Vendetta, but both were quick enough to dodge him.

Link looked around for a moment. Everyone had already scattered away and Zelda and his shadow form were no longer in sight. Marth also took notice of this and finally did what he had to do.

"Find her, Link," the Altean prince shouted across the room, "Find her and protect her, for both of us!"

Marth held up his sword and charged for Ganondorf. He made his battle cry loud as it echoed through the empty hall, "For Zeldaaaaaa!" The last tiny petals fell past Marth's resistance as he leaped up with his sword pointed back behind him. He swung it forward, pointing and aiming for the evil king, but instead there came a sly short blade into his own ribs, cutting him right through.

The Altean Prince hunched over Ganondorf, taking in his painful, fatal blow. Link's eyes widened, but with worry and fear.

"Marth!" Link shouted out. Marth's eyes squinted in pain.

"Your Zelda…" Ganondorf then whispered into the Altean's ear, and with a long aspirated hiss, "…is mine!" Marth's blood boiled.

"Go Link…" his eyes opened and there came the same look Link had given to him up at the alter with Zelda, "Go now, and leave me."

Marth pushed himself out of Ganondorf's short blade and slashed at the evil king. Link hesitantly obeyed his former foe and withdrew to the direction he last saw Zelda and his shadow form. Ganondorf saw Link's escape, but wasn't going to let Marth get away.

"Now to finish you off!" Ganondorf roared.

"Not without a fight!" Marth spat back.

The Altean Prince rushed up forward with the same attack as Ganondorf drew up an even powerful attack of magic than before. The entire room grew dark as a ball of black and purple magic hovered over his head. Ganondorf started to lift up off the ground floating, but Marth's leap was high and steady. The Altean sword pointed back, his face glaring forward.

'For you, my love, I give my life…' Marth's final thoughts as he raced his sword in front, slashing through the agonizing pain of magic and into Ganondorf's presence.

Link panted as he raced down the halls and corridors to find Zelda until finally the sound of an explosion blasted into his ears. It came from the main hall where the wedding ceremony was, where Marth and Ganondorf were.

He raced out to the courtyard to see the main hall from there. The explosion completely destroyed that part of the castle leaving no one to survive. Then the glimpse of a dark creature moving on horse back with a familiar princess caught Link's eye.

Quickly, he raced after them keeping his eyes on them. Following them at a fast steady pace, he found their way into the village square, close by was his horse and the merchant who had got Link captured. Epona immediately recognizing her master, raced over to Link, still tied to the cart she was pulling for the merchant.

The merchant ran after her, shaking his fist and cursing them loudly. Link paid no heed to him. Instead, he cut the bindings to his horse and mounted her to follow his kidnapped princess.

Link rode through the village heading south keeping his eyes steady on the tiny figment of his shadow and Zelda far ahead of him. The shadow knew his good form couldn't keep up with them. He drew his sword and slashed several of the vendors merchandise hung above the stands causing them to fall and make numerous obstacles for the Hylian. Naturally, Link and Epona were too good for pettiness, but it did slow them down a bit. Finally, after reaching the end of the village square, Link's shadow made his move. Just as they past through the ends of Altea, he stopped abruptly and raised his hand motioning a spell of magic.

The Hylian was still too far to rescue his princess, but close enough to what was happening. Dark clouds smothered the sky making it look like the dead of night. Winds curled and stung through Link's ears as they swirled around a dark horse and its two riders. A black portal opened on the ground in front of them. His dark shadow was only able to use dark magic on Hylian soil and now they were.

Link rode Epona as fast as she could to them, but the portal started to take the figures away and slowly closed. The three vanished into the blackness, leaving Link only steps away. He had failed his princess. The Hylian dismounted his horse and fell to his knees, punching the ground, cursing at the heavens for losing Zelda again.

All hope he had to have Zelda in his arms was completely lost. He didn't know where they were or what his darker half wanted with Zelda. Searching for them would take months if not years, especially with the war still engulfing the neighboring lands. This was no easy task, but his fears were for Princess Zelda. He had to find her, no matter how difficult or long the task may be, he will find her. His determination, his devotion, his will, his drive, his love; all of this for his princess. For his Zelda.

…End of Book I…