Hello. So this is just a little side project I did to my novel one night and will probably get back to sooner or later being a huge Zelda dork. Yes I know it's very rushed and that sometimes I'm in the zelda world, incorrect. I know I say wolf instead of wolfos, live with it. I know if randomly switches perspectives, I was lazy. It is by no means supposed to be read for professional critique. It's just for fun. That being said, enjoy :)

Waking up used to be something I detested. It meant that there was still chores to be done, a full day ahead of me, work.

Now waking is my form of relief.

It means the dreams have stopped, that they're not real. It means I can go on without having to suffer through their impenetrable shield of bad memories, the onslaught of regrets. Though it also means I have to go through another day pretending that they didn't happen. Everything on my body hurts, despite the last battle being weeks ago, I can still feel the sting of every blow, the ache of every hit. It makes me slow, something that I hate being more than anything.

I pull on my clothes, carefully letting the fabric slide over my body without chaffing my raw skin, and head out the door of my small living quarters. I decided that going back to the forest was impossible, having outgrown every child that I once called best friends, and took a job at the ranch, despite constant nagging of the council to have me be a captain. It's too hard, and I can't look at her.

I cross the small gravel road from the barn to the house where Talon and his daughter eat breakfast. They always set a spot for me, though most of the time it takes me through breakfast to pull myself out of bed. The house smells like maple syrup, the work of Malon no doubt, and I find at the table a pot of maple porridge, Malon and Talon eating from their bowls with sudden silence.

"Good morning," I say as I take my spot at the table.

"Mornin'," Talon says gruffly, not making eye contact with me.

Malon peeks up at me from her bowl, the same curious but reserved expression she always studies me with. I know it's because I'm different than when we first met. I'm not the silly child that once liked to play games with her around the ranch. Things have changed, and I've changed. We eat in silence like we usually do, until suddenly Talon clears his throat.

"Link, a letter came for you today," he says solemnly.

"A letter?" I ask, trying not to get my hopes up.

He nods and pulls the folded envelope out of his front pocket and slides it across the table to me. I look at it for a brief moment and swallow as I recognize the royal seal. With shaking hands I open it and pull out the piece of paper inside, unfolding it and reading it in silence. I feel a hard lump form at the base of my throat, just above my heart as the words unfold.

"What's it say?" Malon asks timidly.

I blink a couple of times as the reality of my situation washes over me. I shake my head and stare at the words though they make no more sense than when I first read them. "I have to – I...it's-"

But I can't say anything, I simply stand and leave, the piece of paper still on the table so they're free to read it whenever they want.

I hear the door open and then click shut as Malon wanders over to me in the corner, burying my face in my arms. She sits beside me and leans her head on my shoulder, sniffling softly. "Are you gonna go?" she asks softly.

"I have to," I murmur.

I lift my head slowly and look into her eyes, red and filled to the brim with tears. She bursts into a sob as she reaches for my face and before I even can think of a reason to object, she presses her lips to mine. I give in, letting her kiss me for as long as she deems necessary, it could be the last time we ever get to be this close.

"I'm sorry," she whispers when she finally pulls back.

"Malon-" I mutter, a lump in my throat.

"No, I know you don't feel that way about me," she says, "I've seen the way you look at her."

"It's not possible for me to be with her," I say quietly, "especially now."

"If everything goes well...will you come back here?" She asks, intertwining her fingers with mine.

"Mal..." I start, about to tell her that the chances of things going well are slim, instead I look into her big green eyes and smile, "of course I will."

"When must you leave?" She asks.

"Tomorrow morning," I reply.

"You'll take Epona with you, won't you?" She insists.

I nod, "I'll take her if that's what you want."

"I do, she'll keep you safe."

"I'll miss you Mal," I say gently.

"I love you," she says.

I'm caught off guard, she knows I don't feel the same so I don't know how to respond. Instead I sit silently, nodding because as horrible as it is, I wish she was someone else.

"You know how much I wish it was enough," she mutters under her breath.

I nod, "I'll think of you when I'm out there."

"And I'll pray for you," she says.

"Pray hard."

The castle town is in a frenzy, all of the shops closed down to the average person in preparation. Many supplies will be needed, so the whole country is banding together to make sure that there's enough. I follow the other boys about my age, some on horseback like me, towards the castle where we are to gather. The King and the Princess will be addressing us before training, this is the part I'm anticipating with the most anxiety.

They sit up on a balcony, above the five hundred or so of us below. The King welcomes us all with a bellowing voice, silencing everyone that murmured in fear.

"Young men of Hyrule! You are gathered here in preparation for a war far greater than anything we have encountered in the past. The northern countries have waged war on us and our only opportunity to reclaim what is ours is to fight back. You will be the legends of which people speak in the future, because you men are those that will represent Hyrule in it's most dire need. This is the time when you will need to summon all of your courage, because this is the time that death is on our very doorstep. Be prepared young Hylians, this is the day you look into the face of death and conquer it! This is the day you prepare to meet it on the battlefield!"

Many of the young men applaud, but mostly, worried glances echo back and forth in the courtyard. I don't even pay attention to what the King says, my eyes are on the Princess, who has strategically found interest in a bird off in the distance. He continues on about when training will occur, and rambles off a list of names and where they are to report to. I'm called to archery, a place I feel comfortable.

I tie Epona up in the stables and head there on foot, trying to blend in though constant whispers of my name follow me. Most of them mutter my name with excitement, thinking that because I saved Hyrule once, I can do it again. I'm a block or two from the archery arena when suddenly someone tugs on my arm, and I'm pulled into a side alley that is dark and hidden away from the business on the streets.

The cloaked figure sweeps me back far enough that we're out of view of anyone lingering on the streets and removes her hood, silvery blonde hair spilling out. I lay one glance on her and the next second she's in my arms, her lips crushed against mine. Her hands hold my face firmly against hers as I push her body into the wall, the minimal distance between us too much.

"Zelda," I murmur, moving my lips to her neck and picking her up off her feet.

"Oh, Link," she says, emotion coloring her voice, "Where have you been?"

I pull back and look into her deep blue eyes, "I couldn't come back here Zelda, you know that."

"Why? If it's my father-"

"He hates me Zelda, despite what I did for this country he'll kill me if he finds us together. I'm nothing, remember?" I say in a hushed voice.

"I don't care, Link. He made a promise to you that for your service you wouldn't have to fight, so what are you doing here?" she asks.

"I got a letter, he's making me go back," I say quietly, brushing her hair back out of her face.

"You'll die," she says, choking on her words as a tear spills over her eyelid.

"I know," I say.

"So run away with me, we can get out of here, I don't care what it does to my reputation, I don't care what it does to his. If you die, Link..." she splutters.

"We can't run," I say.

"I love you too much Link," she says, "I waited for you for seven years, and even after that, we can't be together? You saved this country from it's biggest threat, from the embodiment of evil, you shouldn't have to go and be killed by men."

"I don't have another choice," I say.

"When do you head out?" She asks.

"Three weeks."

She pauses, her eyebrows furrowing together, "Three weeks? That's it?"

I nod as she bursts into tears, hiding her face in her hands. She knows that it's a death sentence, that I won't come back alive. "I have to go. I'm going to be late," I whisper.

She puts her hands on my neck and kisses me again once more, gently, then wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me close to her. I wind my arms around her waist, and though this position feels so familiar, it feels wrong because it's forbidden.

"I love you," she says as tears stream down her face.

"I love you too," I say, pressing my forehead to hers.

"Go, but meet me tonight by the fountain in the gardens. We'll talk there," she says.

I let go of her and head out the other way, jogging until I reach the arena. There's about fifty other young men here, each with a weathered bow in their hands. One or two carry new, expensive bows, but most of the boys here are commoners, not wealthy enough for one as extravagant as those. Most of them have absolutely no experience with a bow.

"Hey, you're Link right?" A man, probably a year or two older than me asks.

For a moment I consider lying but decide it's worthless. "Yes," I say curtly.

"You're not as big as one would think for defeating Ganondorf," he says looking down at me, one eyebrow cocked.

"Well, you know what they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall," I say looking down at my bow.

He glances down at me, a dirty look on his face when suddenly something behind him catches his attention, "Oh wait...is that the Princess?"

I glance up and see Zelda, the cloak she wore earlier slung over her arm as she walks briskly towards the castle.

My heart lurches and I want so bad to follow her but I hold my ground, "You know, if I make it back alive, maybe she'll consider me. What do you think about her and a guy like me?"

My lips are still slightly swollen from my encounter with her this morning and I want to make a clever retort at him, but instead I say, "You'll have to make it back alive first. Then we'll talk."

"I wouldn't be so worried about me, as yourself," he scoffs, "have you even ever used a bow before?"

I roll my eyes and spot a flag on top of one of the castles spires. I load my bow in a blink and shoot, the arrow whinging through the air and sticking itself in the flag's shaft.

The man beside me stands gaping. "G-good eye," he mutters.

"Who knows, maybe it was a lucky shot," I say, shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand.

"Good thing the Princess doesn't make her choice based on a shooting contest. I mean, let's be honest, I have one up on you in the looks department," he says smugly.

"Yeah, and it's a lucky one for you she doesn't make her final choice based on intelligence," I say and give him a reassuring thump on the back and walk away before he can comprehend the insult I've just given him.

Most of the guys look pretty beat up by the time the day is over and we're to pack in for the day. Most of us who don't live in the town stay in servant boarding rooms in the castle, I stay with a boy probably sixteen years old named Skylar. He looks young, and inexperienced, and most of all scared. I want to make him feel better, but I don't want to give him false hope because I know this situation is hopeless for every single one of us. I unpack the few belongings I brought along when the questions start.

"Are you Link as in the one that destroyed Ganondorf?" He asks quietly from his bed.

I sigh and sit on my bed so I face him, "Yes."

"Well, there's no way you'll die then. That's lucky for you," he says.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that...things are different in war," I reply.

"But you defeated Ganon! I mean, that's so cool..." Skylar muses.

"It wasn't as cool as everyone made it sound. I wish all the time that it never had to happen," I say, analyzing my boots.

"But you're famous, you could have any girl you want, you could have the Princess! You could be living like a king, and you wish that none of that was possible?" He asks incredulously.

"Yes, I wish that."

"You wish that it was someone else?" he asks with utter confusion in his eyes.

"Everyday," I answer quietly.

"Why?" He asks.

"Skylar...I saw a lot of things out there that I wish I had never seen. I remember just being on the brink of death and having to absolutely mutilate creatures to survive. I saw a lot of people die when I wasn't fast enough, and I wish that my instincts weren't to kill every time something shows any bit of aggression. I was a kid when this started. A kid when I killed for the first time. You're sixteen, and this will be the first time you have to go through this. I was ten years old. Ten," I conclude.

Skylar swallows, letting my words sink in.

"I have to go wash up...I'll be back in a bit," I say, leaving the room and heading down to the gardens.

"I thought you weren't going to come," she says when I round the bend to find her sitting on the edge of the fountain.

"Why wouldn't I?" I ask as she stands up and is gathered up in my arms.

"You had a long day, you must be exhausted," she murmurs, her face resting against my chest.

"I'm fine..." I trail off.

"Something's bothering you, something that wasn't there before," Zelda says, pulling back and looking up at me, "tell me."

"They're children Zelda," I say though it barely makes it out of my mouth, angry tears gathering in my eyes.

"They're not much younger than you," she points out.

"But they are, in so many ways. Some of them are fourteen years old. Most of them have never left their home towns," I object.

She hesitates, "I know."

"Then why? Why haven't you talked to your Father about this, this war is going to solve nothing. Can't you reason with him?" I ask desperately.

"I obviously can't Link, I tried reasoning with him when you asked me to marry you," she says quietly, frustration knitting her eyebrows together.

And we both know how that turned out. He'd told Zelda that I wasn't a worthy holder of the crown, that I knew nothing of rule and consequence. I'd saved the world once but that accounted to nothing in the grand scheme of things. I knew nothing, and love wasn't a viable reason to take the crown.

"How am I supposed to do this?" I ask quietly, gently rubbing circles on her back.

"I don't know, darling...I don't know."

"How am I supposed to lead these kids into battle when I have absolutely no confidence that a single one of us will survive?" I muse into her hair.

"You'll do it because every one of them looks up to you. They trust you," she reassures me.

"That's the problem."

She pulls back and places her hands on my face, "I love you and I'll be watching out for you. I'll pray for mercy every night until you come home safely. And when you do, my Father will be prepared to let you in and we'll get married and have seven babies and you'll hold me as we watch our kingdom grow. And we'll love each other even after the day we die."

"Seven babies? That's how many you want?" I ask, smiling down at her.

"One for every year I had to wait for you to come back to me," she says quietly.

"If that's what you want. I'll come back for you."

She closes the distance between are lips and kisses me slowly, holding onto my bottom lip with her teeth. Her hands grasp my hair, pulling me even closer. She sighs as I squeeze her close to me when suddenly a voice echos behind us, "What are you doing here?"

I look up and see a guard standing at attention, eying us suspiciously.

For a moment I'm at a loss for words, how do I just explain that I was making out with the Princess and get away with it?

"You and your lady here must move along, this is private property," the guard says strictly. My eyes widen in shock, in the night he doesn't recognize me or Zelda.

"Of course, our apologies, come along...Amelia," I say taking Zelda by the hand and towing her out of the garden.

She giggles as if she's intoxicated, "After you Robert."

We jog until we're out of sight of the guard, laughing silently to ourselves and for a moment it's just like back when we were kids. Sneaking around the gardens while trying to avoid the guards. Trying to be quiet while killing ourselves laughing. And then being reprimanded by Impa when we got caught.

If only it could still be that way.

"I wish you could stay here," Zelda whispers.

I stroke her bare arm and kiss her again, "I know sweetheart, I know."

She lays her head back on her pillow and closes her eyes, a slight smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I can't believe you had to climb up the wall to get in here."

I laugh quietly, "I know, it's kind of like Romeo and Juliet, isn't it?"

She nods solemnly, the smile gone from her face, "I can't believe you have to go tomorrow."

"I wish I could lay here beside you for the next fifteen years," I say laying a hand on the side of her face.

She lifts her face up and lays it on my chest, "I wish I could lay here next to you for the rest of my life.

I run my fingers through her tangled hair and think that tonight will be the last night in two years that I'll see her. A tear gathers in my eye and runs down my temple. I suck in a sharp breath, making her head bob so she looks up at me with concern. "Oh, baby, don't cry," she murmurs though tears form in her eyes.

"I love you so much," I say wrapping my arms around her.

She rolls on top of me, kissing me as she says, "I love you more."

She kisses me more passionately now though I hear muttering out in the hallway, something Zelda doesn't hear. I barely have time to tell her to listen when her door is flung open and in the doorway is her Father.

"Zelda!" he shouts with a booming voice.

She rolls off of me and clutches the sheets to her, shock and embarrassment on her face, "Father?"

"Get out now!" He screams at me.

I hold up my arms in surrender and reach for my clothes, pulling my tunic over my head as quickly as I can. I pull on the rest of my clothes as he stands in the doorway fuming, Zelda still in her bed holding her head in her hand.

"Out!" He shouts again, yanking my collar and shoving me through the doors.

"Sir, I'm so sorry-" I try to say.

"Shut up," he says abruptly. "Put your clothes on," he says menacingly to Zelda before slamming the door shut behind him.

He turns to me as the words spill out of my mouth, "Sir, I can explain-"

His hand winds up and strikes my cheek so quickly I can barely react, his rings that lace his fingers tearing into my skin. I nearly fall as the pain chokes me but he grasps my collar again before I have the chance. "You think you can screw around with my daughter and I'm not going to find out?" He demands, enraged.

"Please, sir-" I attempt when his hand comes across my face again.

"You are nothing! You think you can have my daughter because you saved the world? You think you can have anything!" He shouts in my face, his eyes blazing with furry.

He winds up and punches my mouth, I stumble backwards as blood fills my mouth and sputters past my lips. I know it's useless fighting him, that nothing I say will make sense to him.

"You are dirt, you are worthless. My daughter thinks she loves you because she doesn't know what love is. Love is more than kissing in back alleys and sleeping together. Here love means working together to run a country," he spits at me where I sit, slouched against the wall. I wonder how he found out about us in the alleyway, but then decide it doesn't matter. He's the King, he knows everything.

"You and Zelda had your time together, working with the sages and stopping Ganondorf. But that time is over, and you and her will never be together," he says with as much venom as possible. "Now, get out of my castle."

I do as he says and pull myself back up though my head aches as I do so. I meander down the hallways, mopping up the blood on my face while trying to find my way out through the endless corridors. I guess it doesn't matter whether or not Zelda and I will ever end up together because I probably won't make it back after the war. When I make it outside, the cold air hits me like a hammer, and the pain is making my head run in circles, dizziness swirling around me. I sit on one of the hills outside of the castle, one Zelda and I used to sit on and watch the shooting stars at night. I wait about an hour until I hear the familiar padding of her feet over to me. She sits down beside me, sniffling, and I wonder how much of his furry she got because of me.

I look over and see that she's wearing the same dress she had been sleeping in. Black silk that falls to her mid-thigh with spaghetti straps. Her face is red and I can see where every tear had fallen down her face. Her pale gold hair shimmers in the moonlight, falling in a curtain in front of her face. When she looks up at me she gasps, noticing the deep gashes cut into my cheek. I turn away, not wanting her to see.

Her fingers trail my cheekbone and I wince in pain, pulling my face further out of her reach. "Let me see it," she whispers.

"No," I mutter, cringing away from her touch.

"How could he do this to you?" she whispers, her voice thick.

"I don't know," I say with a lump in my throat, "how could he go back on his promise, how could he go to war, how could he hurt you like he did?"

"Hurt me?" she asks.

"Tell me what he said to you to make you like this?" I ask wiping away another tear as it falls from her eye.

She swallows, her face scrunching up as agony takes over, "He told me that if I ever saw you again he would personally have you killed."

I pause, the shock openly resonating on my face.

"When I tried to tell him that I would never speak to him again if he did something stupid like that, he told me that I was no daughter of his if these words were coming out of my mouth. He said that you wanted our riches, nothing else. That you were a worthless peasant that wants nothing more than to squander in our glory. He said...you don't love me."

I'm grateful that she didn't edit the conversation so I can counter everything he said. "Zelda, I've loved you since before I knew what love was."

"And I, you," she whispers.

"Promise me that you won't wait if I die," I say suddenly.

"What?" she asks.

I let out a deep sigh, "If I die, go on with your life. Don't wait for me to come back."

She bites her lip like she really wants to argue but she says, "I'll wait for you until I get the word...and then who knows after that."

"I love you," I say as passionately as I can muster because this will be the last time.

"I love you so much Link," she says as tears trickle down her face. She wraps her arms around me and holds me, "Promise me you'll be safe."

I don't say anything, I just hold her body against mine, because that's something that is impossible to promise.

I watch as every young soldier waits in line, taking their token from Zelda so that they can be on their way out to the regiment. I almost skip over the line as we're strictly instructed not to do, just so I can avoid seeing her without wanting to scoop her up into my arms and hold her forever. I ride on Epona's back, slowly inching my way forward drawing closer and closer to her. Many of the boys have excitement on their faces as they giggle about meeting the Princess like little girls.

"Hey, Link!" A voice calls beside me.

"Hi Skylar," I say looking down at him.

"Whoa, man. What happened to your face?" he asks.

"I uh...had a run in with a wolf out in the field the other night. I was just picking up some last minute gear and was caught off guard," I mutter, feeling the sting of the still-open wounds.

"Yikes, going into battle already wounded?" he asks skeptically.

"Unfortunately so," I say moving up again in line.

"Hey, check out this token, I swear when the Princess gave it to me she winked at me. I think she likes me," he says.

"Yeah buddy, I'm sure she's really into you," I say without sarcasm, why not let the kid hope?

"But hey, I'm gonna go so I can get some of the best weaponry before it's all gone. I'll see you around?" he says turning over his shoulder.

"Yeah, I'll see you," I mutter because he's already lost in the crowd.

I inch closer and closer, my heart picking up speed as we near one another. When at last it's my turn, I dismount Epona and bow to the King, avoiding eye contact. Then I turn to Zelda and I can see the tears forming in her eyes, the pain clear on her face under her shear veil.

"Knight of Hyrule..." she murmurs, her voice quivering.

Her father shoots her a disappointed glare and then looks straight ahead.

"Take this token," she continues as a tear trickles off her chin, "and serve us in our time of need."

I take the handkerchief in her shaking hand and bow my head.

"Your Highness," I say.

And then her hands are on either side of my head and her lips are pressed to my hair. I wonder if this is customary, because if it isn't, her father will really let her have it. One of my own tears hits the pavement as she pulls back.

She clears her throat, "Good luck."

I nod and take my place back on Epona, taking in her face one last time as we're sent out to battle. I memorize the face of the girl I love, of the girl I'll never see again.

ZELDA

Dear Link,

I scratch it out immediately.

Dearest Link,

I scratch that out too.

Link,

That will do.

You've been gone for an entire month now. I wish I could tell you how much I miss you already but that would take far more than a single piece of parchment and therefore, I will not waste this on empty words that cannot explain what I feel inside. I know you must be busy and thus, cannot write me...but when you get a chance I want to know how you're doing. Also there is something far more pressing I must let you know. I'm

Suddenly my door flies open and my maid is standing in the doorway.

"Adelaide? What is it?" I ask standing at my desk.

"There's a letter that's just come for you. It's from the camp out in Dalmarth," she explains handing me the envelope.

A tinge of hope pricks at my heart, a letter from Link, finally. I smile and take it from her though her expression is not one of excitement for me as it always is when I relay my moments alone with Link, it's one of concern.

I open the envelope and pull out the letter as quickly as I can, finding that the letter is not addressed to me...but to whom to may concern...

I read on for only a sentence and everything changes. My heart clenches tightly and I collapse on the floor, my hand clapped over my mouth. Adelaide is at my side in an instance as I cough out disbelieving sobs. She's trying to calm me down, to say something, but all I can hear is the blood rushing in my ears.

I won't get a chance to send the letter to him.

LINK

All I saw was the arrow whizzing through the air, and suddenly I looked down, and it was sticking straight out of my chest. I don't remember feeling it, just seeing it there so peculiarly coming right out of my body. And then my head swam and I was on the ground. Three men were at my side in an instance, assessing my situation, trying to decide whether or not to pull the arrow.

All I thought about was how I would never get to see her again. I imagined her face as hard as I could and thought about our seven children that would never be.

All I wanted was to see her again.

I don't remember passing out but when I woke up I was in a hospital of sorts. A white tent with nurses buzzing around. To my left was a man without his right leg, to my right was a man that was holding his intestines in his hands while the doctor tried to fix him up. A nurse was leaning over me trying to stitch me up. I felt awful.

There was a massive amount of blood on my clothes and skin, and I remember thinking that I haven't won this battle yet because I'm still bleeding out.

The hole in me was a horrifying mess, my skin torn apart where they pulled the arrow out. It was the most excruciating pain I ever recall feeling. I didn't know what the damage was like on the inside, I only hoped it wasn't as bad as it looked.

I passed out again before it was over. When I wake up this time, I know I must be dead. I look around anxiously but it's silent, my first hint that I'm not in the war torn camp that I was when I took this hit. And then I see through a rip in the tent and see that the sky is black and that it's night, the fighting due to resume tomorrow morning. A woman walks over to me, noticing that I'm struggling to sit up and tries to get me to lay back down.

"What happened?" I croak.

"We won the battle," she says in a hushed voice.

My brow creases, "What?"

"We won," she says again, an exhausted smile on her face.

"So, where will the next battle take place? How will I be transported there?" I ask intently.

"They don't think there will be another battle. Captain Donovan is negotiating with their captain now in your stead. They think...this could be it?" she says.

"It? You mean..."

She hesitates, not wanting to curse our luck I suppose, "The end of the war."

"I can go home," I say, joy overwhelming me.

"Well, you've still got a battle of your own to fight, you've got to recover first," she says.

Tears stream down my temples, "I haven't seen Hyrule in almost three years," I say, staring at the roof.

"It's been a long time for all of us," she agrees, laying a cool cloth on my forehead.

"Three years, and this battle is finally over," I muse.

"We barely made it out, but yes, it's most likely over," she says, squeezing my shoulder.

I know what she means. My first day here over half of my regiment was killed. Our numbers were few and our battle strategies were poor. We had to completely overhaul the system and use our brains over our brawn. Bit by bit we managed to overtake them but it has been a long run. There are very few of us left. Skylar, the boy I met back in Hyrule died within the first month, trying to run home.

Suddenly cheers erupt from outside and I smile. It's over.

I see her face behind my eyelids and she's smiling at me.

I smile back.

We've been traveling for a week when the first signs make it apparent that we are very close to Hyrule. I can see the peak of Death Mountain on the horizon, the castle spires. My heart stutters as I wonder if she made good on her promise and will be there waiting for me. I told myself I wouldn't blame her if she didn't, but part of me still hopes that she is.

There's a parade in the streets as we walk through castle town, flowers litter the ground as more are showered on our heads from the windows. We are congratulated at the front of the castle by The King, given our rewards and sent home.

She isn't waiting there.

Regardless, there is something I need to do, something I've composed in my head and perfected for the past three years. I need to sort things out between myself and Zelda's father. I need to make my apologies but I need to make him see why I wanted things to be the way he wouldn't let them.

I don't have to wait to see him, he's taken the day off from council meetings and paper signings to welcome us home. He let's me right in.

Right off the bat his eyes are wide in shock as I walk through the doors into his study. I take a knee and bow until he offers me the chance to rise. Everything I've planned in my head goes out the window.

"Sir, there are things that I need to address," I start.

He stares at me, panic on his face though I don't know why.

"For one your Highness, I need you to know that I am very sorry for the way I acted around you and your daughter. Secrecy is an insult and I should have come straight to you and asked for your permission before I went any further. She is your daughter and I had no right to be with her behind your back. For that I am eternally in your debt," I say quickly.

"Of course Link, it's been three years and you've served this country well. You are forgiven," he says immediately almost as if he's wishing I'll just leave as soon as possible.

"I'm not finished...please Sir. I wanted to explain myself. I loved your daughter very much, and I know running a kingdom is more than love. But I would never do anything to harm her," I say.

"Yes, I'm aware..." The King trails off.

"And...I'm guessing that by now she's moved on," I say with a shrug.

"Oh, uh yes. She has Link," he says almost sheepishly.

My heart sinks, "But I was wondering...I was wondering if she was around because I need to straighten out some things between her and I as well. And then I will be gone from your life, I will never speak to you or your family again if you don't have need of it. I will not change her mind from the path she has chosen, I will not attempt to do as such. I just need to see her briefly," I end.

"I'm sorry boy, she's not here," he says.

"Not...here?" I ask.

"No, She's out at a hearing," he mutters, "you best be on your way, back to your family now hm?"

I shake my head, my family limited to Malon and Talon. But I'm escorted out of the room anyways. My whole body is quivering by the time I make it outside. Despite the fact that I told myself numerous times that she'd moved on, hearing the words was impossible. I shrugged it off and swallowed hard, she didn't write to you, she knew you'd be gone a long time, she moved on, it's alright, I told myself. I found a bench outside one of the walls and collapsed on it, burying my face in my hands.

Suddenly I feel a hand on my knee and when I look up, bright blue eyes are staring back at me, a little girl smiling at me with baby teeth poking through. I smile wearily at her and pat her hand, the one that rests on my knee.

"There you are Ev, I'm sorry Sir-" a woman's voice says as the girl is whisked away from me.

"It's fine," I say looking up.

The woman in front of me is one I know all too well. She looks the same, though something hollow is in her eyes now, like a ghost.

She stares back at me for a long while, her hand over her mouth, the little girl on her hip.

And I stare too, unsure of what to say to break the silence.

"Link?" she asks incredulously.

I stand up and bow my head, "Princess."

In half a second, her arm is slung around my neck and she holds me in a tight embrace. Her breathing is uneven and it takes me a moment to realize she's crying.

She pulls back and takes in my face, her gloved hand on my cheek, "How...how are you here?"

"The war is over," I say confused though my heart is flying, "you didn't know?"

"I got a letter a month after you went out saying you were dead!" she says as tears stream down her face.

"What? No, I'm here, I'm fine," I mutter smiling back at her, "had a few close calls but I made it back all in one piece."

She laughs as a happy sob pushes past her lips and she pulls me towards her again. "Oh, I've missed you," she says in a hushed voice.

"I missed you too," I whisper.

Suddenly the little girl starts cooing and I remember her presence. Zelda pulls back laughing a little bit, "Are you saying hi?"

I smile at the girl, waiting for an explanation.

"Link, this is Evangeline...my daughter," she says.

"Your daughter?" I ask, something like shock coming off my voice/

"Yes." Zelda looks embarrassed.

"Ah, there you two are," a masculine voice says turning the corner.

I look over Zelda's shoulder and see a tall man with broad shoulders, dark hair and dark chocolate eyes. He slings an arm over Zelda's shoulder and next to her she looks so petite, like if he squeezed tight enough he would crush her. She didn't used to look like that, so fragile.