Hello, everyone! This is my very first fanfiction. I have been working on it for the past 2 years and I'm happy to announce that it is completely finished! I would love to hear any criticism that you have for me, because it helps make me a better writer in the end. :) Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own the legend of Zelda game series or the characters. I am writing a story for fun. :)

Author's Note

I have always been a fan of "The Legend of Zelda." Twilight princess is one of my favorites. This book is based on Twilight Princess, but it's mostly what happened after the game! I sincerely hope that you all enjoy as you get a look into what Link's life could have been like.

Note: Don't overlook parentheses! They have important information regarding the book! Especially pay attention when they have the words "speaker's Note" or "Narrator's Note." Speaker's note is…you guessed it! A change in speaker. Narrator's note is a moment of narration when none of the characters are telling the story. This is needed because this book features a series of flashbacks, and changes in the speaker.

Prologue

"Memories are the little drops of water that create life's raging rivers. Without them, something's missing; wouldn't you agree, Link?" Rusl smiled.

I nodded. "Yeah." I looked at him and smiled. "Like all the memories that we've shared while sitting and talking on the banks of the Ordon Spring." That's what we were doing today.

"Exactly my friend." His smile was a little more bittersweet now. "I hate to bring this up, but…" I looked at him. "It is your father's birthday today, isn't it?"

"So it is." I said plainly, feeling uncomfortable.

Rusl sighed. "He was an amazing man; I should know because I was friends with him since I was the tender age of 4." He said while looking towards the water. "I'm sure that he can see from the heavens that you've become the man he's always wanted you to be. I'm sure he's so proud of you."

I smiled as he pat me on the back, but the good feeling didn't last long. "…Call me selfish…but I wish he was still alive." I looked at my feet. "There are still so many things that I wish he were here to teach me, I mean—"

"Have faith in yourself and your abilities; you'll learn what you need to know in due time."

"I hope…" There was a short span of silence between the two of us. The only thing I could figure was that we were taking in the beautiful vista of the spring during sunset. "…Speaking of memories and how lost a person can be without them, whenever I think about my last memories with my father, I get the strangest feeling; I can only remember the littlest details."

"You were only 7 at the time, I remember…so it makes sense." He said. "You and your father traveled to a different country for a week."

"Yes. He was hired by the Nikitrian royal family to protect their heirloom." I started to feel my eyes watering up. "And he—" I cleared my throat. "He died on the job, and I went home alone."

"That's why he taught you how to read maps at an early age." He said.

"Yeah…" I was quiet. I sniffled; turning my head away to hide the tears.

"You okay?" He looked worried for me.

"Yeah. Something's in my eye." I said to him, wiping away more tears.

"Let's not think about the bad in life right now. I can tell that I've done something wrong." He looked at me with sincerity. "I'm sorry…I just wanted to say that you have so many positive memories with your father, and that's what's important." He reassured me.

"You're right. I guess I just feel uneasy when I think about those last memories, I can't even remember where in Nikitre that he died, I can only remember the fact that we went there together for a period of time…and that a man in a hood killed him…"

He looked at me, obviously puzzled. "That's odd…you can't remember anything else? Not even anybody you or your father met while there?" I shook my head. "That's quite strange, I'll agree with you on that." He looked out at the water again. "I can't believe it's been 11 years since then. You have grown up fast." He stood up. "We ought to get back to the village. The sun's setting." He and I walked back into Ordon; he to his house, and me to my house for the night.

…

(Speaker's Note: 5 years later, meanwhile, in the country of Nikitre, the princess was preparing for her wedding that was just in seven days. Here's her side of the story.)

Syhnthia, one of the maids, came into my room. "Rose! Lights out, Dearie! You have your dress-fitting tomorrow!" She told me.

"Okay." I sat in my chair and thought to myself. I keep on thinking that something has gone array. My heart flutters with anxiousness for this day to come, but I feel…sad. "What is it?" I keep on asking myself…a girl should be happy to be this close to marriage! I have only been dreaming about it my whole life!

Chapter 1: Memories

I sighed in frustration, stood up and walked to my bedroom and got ready for bed. I sat in front of my vanity and combed my hair, struggling with a knot on the right side. After that I walked over to my bed and sat on it and then lied back and pulled the covers up to my neck. As I lied in bed staring at the cold stone ceiling I thought back to my childhood, particularly during the time I met my best friend. When did I meet him? I remember! That was 16 years ago when I was 7 years old…back in 1438. I fell asleep and began to dream.

…

"Look, Mommy!" A young girl beckoned her mother, jumping up and down in front of a pond. That's me…

"What is it, Rose?" My mother (Carol) called out to me. "What did you find, sweetheart?"

"I found a froggy!" I pointed at the pond. "In here!" It's my home…in Nikitre. It was sunny and warm that day.

"Let me see that, sis!" My older brother Tyler said. He's three years older than I am. He has red hair and grey eyes.

"Rrrrribbit" The frog bellowed in a low voice. The three of us giggled together in the warm embrace of the sunshine. I walked over to a nearby stone fountain. Looking at my reflection, I noticed that my pink dress was dirty from playing in the mud, and my spiral pigtails were messed up…but I didn't care. My bright blue eyes still glistened with glee.

I looked up at Carol when she spoke to me. "Let's go inside, run you a bath, and comb your hair." She said. She had brown hair and bright blue eyes, just like me.

"Okay." I said.

"You're soooo dirty! Haha!" Tyler laughed at me. I got into a huff about his teasing.

"Let me do that, your majesty." A young maid with straight black hair offered a helping hand for my mother. Her hazel eyes shined as she smiled.

"You really don't have to do that, Annie." Carol said.

"I insist. You must relax. You've been busy all day. I will make you some tea while I'm at it." Annie said.

"Alright." She reacted.

Annie looked at me. "I'll start the water for you." She began to walk inside our castle.

"Coming, Annie!" I ran after her as the sun began to set. I took my bath and changed into pajamas.

"Let's go comb that hair of yours, Rose." We went to my room. I sat at the same vanity that I did before falling asleep and having this dream. I smiled at the mirror as Annie reached for a brush and started to run it through my hair. Oh, how I loved the sensation of it massaging my head; it made me feel at ease. It didn't take long for the moment to be ruined when Tyler threw a frog into the room.

"HAZAAA!" MWAHAHAHAHA!" Tyler roared. I screamed.

"Ribbit." The frog bellowed.

"Get that out of here, Tyler! Take it outside, and then go to bed!" Annie yelled.

"Okay!" Tyler said as he stomped off.

"Boys." Annie said.

"Yeah." I said with a grin. "Boys."

She began to stroke my hair once more. "You have such rich brown hair…it's like it's made of chocolate…I'm so jealous!"

I blushed out of flattery. "Thanks, Annie."

"You have your mother to thank for that hair!" She smiled.

"Yep! Queen Carol Shikima!" I shined. "My Mommy!"

"Alright, time for bed." She said sleepily.

"No!" I shouted. "Story, Annie! Read me a story, first!" I insisted.

"Alright…" Annie sighed. "You have your father to thank for that stubborn personality."

"Yep! King Harold Shikima!" I saluted. "My Daddy!"

"What's this about me?" Harold said. I looked over and realized he was standing at my bedroom door. He came over and gave me a noogie. I looked at his black hair and green eyes.

"Daddy! Hello!" I saluted him and stuck out my lip to try and look serious.

He laughed at me. "You got pretty dirty your mother tells me!" He said.

"Yep! Playing with froggies!" I said exuberantly.

"You did, huh?" He laughed whole-heartedly.

"Why is that so funny, daddy?" I asked him.

"The way that you're so goofy and just don't care!" Harold said.

"Is that…bad?" I asked him with a frown on my face.

"No…It's wonderful." He assured me. He picked me up and twirled me around in a circle as I giggled.

"I want to change into normal clothes and go back outside, Daddy…can I?" I asked him.

"No, Rose…it is dark outside, go to bed." He said as he sat me down.

"Dang it!" I said with disappointment.

Annie read me a story and then I went to bed. Soon after I went to bed everyone else did too. As soon as I knew that everyone was asleep, I changed into a green dress and put my hair back in a ponytail. (My Mommy taught me how to do that!)

I snuck outside…not just to our courtyard, but off of our property…I knew not to leave our property, for everyone told me that; the maids, the royal guards, my parents…But I didn't want to listen to them! I wanted to explore! I snuck past the guards that had the night shift. That was easy, for they were all fast asleep. Off I went into the night! I ran on that cobblestone road past little stores and houses, running quickly enough for them to looked blurred in the darkness. Finally I was so full of fatigue that I felt like I couldn't go on. I sat on a bench; wide awake and smiling because of my hastened beating heart. How invigorating it was to run free! It was quiet. I took in my excitement and joy of feeling unconfined…that is, until I heard rustling in the bushes behind the bench. I got scared.

"Who's there?" I asked fearfully, not daring to look behind me. No answer. I stood up. Should I look? I started to look, but fear overcame me like a cold wind and I shuddered. I can't! What if it's a monster? I finally gathered up the courage to look behind the bushes. There was a little boy laying there. He was my age. Is he dead? I looked around frantically. I looked to my left, then to my right. A well! I ran over to it and pulled up the bucket. It was filled with mere water, but it was a little heavy for a 7 year old girl. It didn't help that it was a rather large bucket. I held the bucket with both hands and marched my way over to him like a stiff soldier. I was awfully slow and almost a little robotic with each step I took. When I reached the bush and the boy I heaved the bucket over my head and dumped the water on him. He woke with a jolt, looking up at me and shivering.

"Wh...Why did you do that?" He pondered timidly.

"The real question is…were you dead?" I asked stupidly. "Have you come back as a zombie? Should I run now?"

"Not trying to be rude, but you're weird." He told me.

I giggled. "It's okay. What's your name?" I asked him.

"Link the III. But people just call me Link." He replied. "Yours?"

"Rose." I said. I remember looking at his green clothes and brown belt. There were two belts, actually. One slung over his shoulder attached to a sword holster, which was holding a wooden sword, and the other around his waist. He also had brown hair, but lighter than mine. His dark blue eyes were cold with sorrow…something must be troubling him. "Why are you out here all by yourself? Where do you live? Your parents are probably worried, I'm sure…" I looked at him with concern. Why is a boy my age out here all by himself? That doesn't justify my behavior, but why him?

He stood up. "I was looking for my father…I lost him." He then began to cry. He looked ashamed of showing emotion, for he clenched his hands tightly by his sides and looked down at the ground. He then wiped away his tears and looked up at me with seriousness. "I need to find him! He's the only parent I have! I'm lost, tired, and rather hungry…"

I looked at him with sympathy, then at the eerily quiet streets and closed my eyes. "I'm sorry…" He just looked down at the ground again.

"You look like you have a mom and a dad." He said to me, looking back up at me.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. "I do." I said.

"You look like you're rich because of your clothes. Lucky. You should get home before your family worries about you, Rose." He said with an unemotional voice. I then saw more tears fall from his eyes, but he tried to stay silent this time.

I looked at him as he sat back down on the bench. What do I do? Surely this is a sad story to hear…I'd hate to be out here all alone to take care of myself. Should I help him? That's what I'll do! "…I'll help you find your dad! We'll find him, I'm sure of it!"

He stood up. "Thank you…" He said to me. He and I smiled at each other and started walking together.

"Tell me about your daddy? What is he like?" I asked him, turning my head towards him and crossing my hands behind my back in a cutesy manner.

"My…my dad…" He smiled. "He's a swordsman!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! I want him to teach me how to swordfight like he does!"

"He must be a skilled swordsman, huh?"

"Yep. He's one of the best."

"Do you know how to swordfight?"

"Yeah, I know how to swordfight, but not as good as my Dad does." We looked around town for a couple of hours and came up to a nearby hotel. A man also in green clothes stood there talking to the hotel manager, looking worried.

"He's seven years old." The man in green said. "He has the same name as me. 'Link.' He's about this tall." He showed Link's height with his hand. "Man! Where is he? I lost him in the crowd earlier this evening…I've been looking for three hours. Are you all having a festival or something?"

"No. We're just generally a busy-" The hotel manager managed to say before being broken off.

"DAD!" Link yelled and ran to the man. I smiled.

"There you are! I was afraid I had lost you!" He knelt down with his arms wide open and gave Link a hug.

"Problem solved!" The hotel manager grinned and went inside.

"Rose helped me find you!" Link said to his father.

"Rose, huh?" Link's father said. "By any chance, do they call you Princess Rose?"

"Yep!" I replied. Link stood there with his mouth wide open.

"Can you tell your father that we are here and that we'll come and visit in the morning?" Link's father asked.

"Sure." I said.

"Alright! Tell him it'll be 7:00am sharp!"

"Gothcha! See you then!" I replied. I waved good-bye as they waved back.

I arrived back at the castle within a couple of minutes. My father was waiting for me at the front door…oh, boy, did I get in trouble. I told my father what happened and he got mad at me for a while for leaving the castle, but he was glad I was safe.