Time Cannot Erase Chapter 33

This time, this place
Misused, mistakes
Too long, too late
Who was I to make you wait

I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all, I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up

I wanted you to stay
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold onto me and never let me go
~Nickelback “Far Away”

Chapter 33
At Last


By all rights it should have been the largest celebration Hyrule had seen in a great many years. The marriage of Zelda, the most esteemed and cherished member of the royal family in over a century, was no small occasion. From the moment that word had leaked from the castle of the Princess’ impending nuptials Hyrule had spoken of nothing else.

Of course it came as no surprise. The Princess was now over twenty one years old, and most Hylians had been hard pressed to understand why their Princess had not taken a husband far sooner than now. It had not been as though no man had tried to persuade her. For the four years since Zelda’s return from Aritia the castle had swarmed with interested suitors from lands near and far.

As much as Zelda had been beloved before her disappearance to Aritia it was nothing compared to the adoration her subjects now felt for her. Her return had been a shock: appearing in the middle of the night flanked by none other than Link, the very scoundrel whom it had been said had kidnapped her. The Princess had also returned with a fresh batch of fantastic tales her subjects could scarcely believe. Many were enamored by the reports of their princess’ valor and courage in far off lands in saving a crumbling kingdom from destruction, especially when the tales began to come in from traders and merchants who entered Castle Town from lands far and wide, all touting her noble deeds, validating her claims. Even so, her claims that Link was a hero seemed to fall once again on deaf ears. Common hatred for Link had swelled to a greater intensity than ever before, as did their adulation for their Princess.

It didn’t seem to matter much anymore, though as it seemed certain that Link would soon become a problem of the past. The King had been relentless in his search for his daughter, and now that Link had been captured the King could deal out his vengeance with full force: but the King gave the biggest shock of all when he consented to let Link go freely.

No one could understand how the King could let Link, the man who had kidnapped his daughter, simply walk out of his castle. Immediately rumors began to fly, each one more far fetched than the last. Some said that Link had bewitched the King as he had Zelda. Some said he had bought his freedom with gold. Some said it was the Princess’ please which had set him free. Some even went as far as to propose that the King believed Link’s tale, and that Link had actually saved Zelda’s life, not endangered it.

No matter how much they discussed it, however, no one ever seemed to come to a conclusion that made any sort of sense. Most people brushed the stories off as nonsense and went on despising Link as much as ever, but a few began to wonder if the King was right. No one could dispute the change in Zelda over the next few months. She was a stronger leader than ever before. More trusted, more honorable and nobler. If she trusted Link, maybe Link was telling the truth. Maybe, just maybe, Link had saved their Princess. Maybe he was a hero after all.

As the months passed Link’s appearances at the castle suddenly began to wane, and one day he didn’t return at all. The town still spoke of him from time to time, but soon their interest too began to fade. It appeared that Hyrule had seen the last of Link and before long he was nearly completely forgotten.

Hyrule had much more pressing matters to deal with than a rogue wanderer, for it was then that suitors began to arrive. Year after year princes and warriors and noblemen flocked to Hyrule to meet the Princess whom stories said had been instrumental in overthrowing Hardin, the despised and feared King of Akanea, and saving the collapsing Aritia. Tales of her bravery and strength flowed over many lands, from neighboring kingdoms to nations and countries so far off many in Hyrule had never heard of them before. It seemed everyone was eager to meet the young woman behind the legend.

Time and time again the King would welcome an interested guest into his castle with high hopes, and all too soon Zelda would politely turn them away. Her father pouted and grumbled and even raged a few times, but Zelda would not relent. She seemed now to have eyes for nothing but her duty. She threw herself into politics and policy and councils and rulings. With Link gone Zelda was alone most of the time, and Impa watched with great concern as she became more and more immersed in her responsibilities. Zelda seemed to be drowning in a life Impa knew she hated, yet Zelda never complained. She never let on that she was unhappy. She quietly and single-mindedly fulfilled her duties day by day: something driving her from within with a will and strength beyond her own power.

After some months though, Zelda began to slow down. At first she simply felt tired, but she assumed it was simply from overwork. As time went on, though she only grew worse. Her skin began to pale, she started to grow thin and appeared exhausted at all times with hardly any energy to speak of. Impa begged her to slow down and take care of herself but Zelda insisted she was fine. Despite herself, though, she found herself feeling drained all of the time as though life was seeping out of her with no way to replenish it. She would eat and never feel full. She would sleep and never feel refreshed. Day by day she worsened: no relief in sight.

She sat one night in this fragile state, gazing out her window into the night, her mind turning to Link, as it often did whenever she felt alone or worried. She gazed up at the stars, wondering where he was and if he was looking up at the same night sky, perhaps thinking of her. Silently she called to him, wishing with all her being that he could be near to her again. In her mind she could almost hear his voice, whispering back to her words of comfort and solace. She breathed in deep, focusing on him, for the moment, at least, feeling life coming back to her heart and to her soul.

As though in answer to her unspoken plea, Link returned to Hyrule soon thereafter. He appeared out of the blue, taking Zelda completely by surprise as he stepped into view: muddy and rain soaked, exhausted from his journey, but happy to see her. When he swept her into his arms Zelda felt life rush back into her in an instant, and once again all was right with the world.

He did not stay long. He never stayed long. Without warning he would appear for a few days and then vanish just as quickly. Months passed into a year and then two. This once again became her routine. Living day by day awaiting his return, never knowing when he would come. Never knowing when she might find respite. The days were long, and the nights longer: growing lonelier day by day, Link’s impending return the only light on her horizon.

One such night Zelda stood on her balcony, forced to watch Link ride off into the darkness, vanishing from her sight. His presence had invigorated her, and yet as she watched him leave her once more she could already feel her spirit sinking, her body becoming heavy and tired. Leaning against a pillar for support she fought her tears, wondering how much longer this would go on: how much more she could endure.

“Why do you do this to yourself?” Impa’s voice sounded suddenly behind her. Zelda felt her heart leap in shock, then turned slowly to see Impa standing there, looking both stern and yet concerned.

“Do what?” Zelda asked, wiping her eyes and trying to steady her voice.

“Why do you put yourself through this torture?” Impa implored more fervently. “I watch this time and time again. I watch you as you fade until there is almost nothing left of you as you toil away in misery. I watch you go until I don’t think you can go any further, and then he comes back. He comes back and you are happy, but only momentarily. Your fleeting joy is always cut short as he leaves you, time and time again. I watch as every bit of life in your eyes flickers and dies out, as every ounce of energy you possess is slowly drained from you in worry and pain. I am forced to watch your heart be ripped from your soul over and over again every time he rides through that gate.”

Biting her lip and blinking back tears, trying to swallow the painful lump in her throat, Zelda gripped the pillar even tighter, refusing to look Impa in the eye.

“Why?” Impa nearly pleaded. “Why do you put yourself through such agony? Why are you doing this to yourself?”

“Because I love him,” Zelda whispered, her body quivering as her knees began to give way beneath her.

“Have you learned nothing?” Impa sighed in despair. “Love is not enough.”

“He is doing what he has to do!” Zelda shot out, suddenly defensive, “and I am doing what I need to do. We both know we cannot change who we are, and we cannot change how we feel.”

“So you think that slowly killing each other like this is the answer?” Impa asked firmly.

Zelda stared forward for a moment, gritting her teeth and trying to remain composed.

“No,” she said finally, “this is not the answer.”

“Then why don’t you just let him go?” Impa asked.

“I have tried,” Zelda replied, suddenly unable to keep the tears away. “I tried to let him to go, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He doesn’t want to give up hope.”

“So you are both clinging to false hope you know is futile?”

“No,” Zelda replied firmly. “No. We know what we are doing. You don’t understand.”

“You still think that this will work? You cannot keep his up. You cannot hurt each other like this anymore,” Impa could restrain herself no longer, though she could see flames of fear flashing in Zelda’s eyes.

“This is our decision,” Zelda replied zealously.

“And I am trying to help you make the right one,” Impa went on, “Something has to change. Something has to be done!”

Zelda looked at Impa with narrowed eyes for a long while, then finally she spoke, her voice sincere and piercing. “Why are you doing this to me?”

“Because I love you,” Impa replied honestly. “I cannot stand to see you in such pain. Something must be done- you cannot sit on the fence any longer pretending that at some point you won’t fall off. You cannot continue to tear yourself in two. You must make a decision.”

“I know,” Zelda sighed in sudden defeat, her knees buckled and she slid to the floor, burying her head in her hands. “I know I do,” she wept. Quietly Impa sat down beside her, taking her into her arms and holding her as she wept freely, all the emotion and pain and exhaustion pouring out of her. They sat for a long while in silence, Zelda’s tears finally waning as she fought to bring herself back under control. She was glad to have Impa with her. Her presence made Zelda feel comforted and calm. Finally, Zelda wiped her eyes, drying her tears and breathing in slowly.

“Then I know what I have to do,” Zelda whispered.


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Zelda never publicly announced her marriage. She rightly assumed that it did not matter whether she told anyone or not, for only days after she quietly informed her father that she had settled on a suitor word had spread to everyone in Hyrule. Everyone waited for an announcement, for the plans to be made public, for the celebration to begin or for their Princess to introduce their future King to them, but none of it came. Most were anticipating parties and festivals and invitations to the castle and a celebration as had not been seen in Hyrule for most of their lifetimes, but it seemed the Princess was too much like her mother: modest and humble. Zelda had no wish to draw attention to herself. She had never wanted to be in the public eye, though her desires had never mattered much. Still, she did her best to keep her marriage quiet, simple and modest, much to the dismay of her people.

The date rapidly approached and while the castle remained oddly quiet and reserved all of Hyrule seemed to be bursting with anticipation. The princess’ secrecy seemed only to peak their interest even more.

Impa herself could hardly believe Zelda’s decision. She had hoped to sway the Princess to reevaluate the current course of her life, but she could not help but be blown away when she learned what Zelda planned to do.

As the months passed and the date drew nearer Impa could not help but expect that Zelda would change her mind, but the princess was steadfast, moving forward in her duties just as calmly as ever, though once again her energy began to fade. She became quiet and withdrawn, keeping very much to herself. This decision was hard enough without the prying eyes of everyone in Hyrule upon her. Still, she held on until the morning of the big day arrived.

Impa found Zelda sitting in her chamber quietly and contemplatively, awaiting the hour when her life would change forever. Impa knew it was not her place to tell Zelda what to do, but she felt as though it were her own daughter sitting before her, and she couldn’t help but fear for her welfare and offer any support she might need.

“Zelda,” Impa said gently as she shut the door behind her. Zelda slowly turned her head, her expression calm and melancholy. “Are you all right?” Impa asked, sitting on the edge of the bed beside her.

“Yes,” Zelda replied quietly and almost emotionlessly.

Impa waited a moment before she spoke again. “Are you sure this is what you want?” Impa implored, not accusingly but with all the tender concern of a mother speaking to her child.

“I have made my choice,” was Zelda’s simple and firm response. “I’m not a child anymore, Impa. My dreams were right all those years ago. You can’t save me anymore. No one can. For too long I have lived in fear, relying on everyone else to protect me and shelter me and guide me. The time has come where I must stand on my own, where I must choose my own path and find my own destiny. I know what I need to do and I am going to do it.”

Looking at her Impa knew she was right. The princess had grown so much in four short years. Physically she looked older: her face slightly longer and leaner, her eyes no longer wide and childlike but deep and full of wisdom. She sat tall and dignified in her immaculate white dress, adorned with flowers and a small crown in her shimmering hair, looking every bit the princess that she was. A sudden wave of emotion broke over Impa and she knew that Zelda was right. This was her choice, and it was no longer Impa’s place to protect her from the world.

“You may stand on your own,” Impa said quietly, looking Zelda in the eye, “but you do not have to stand alone.”

A melancholy smile graced the princess’ lips and she hugged her nursemaid, “Thank you,” she whispered as Impa hugged her back.

_________________________________________________

Despite her outward appearance of calm and composure, inside Zelda was a storm of turmoil. Her stomach was filled with butterflies and her legs felt so weak she could barely stand on them. She stood in the quiet antechamber of the Temple of Time in such deafening silence she could hear her heart hammering in her chest. Her fingers shook as she gripped the flowers in her hands. She had always dreamed of her wedding day as a day of excitement and joy. Now, however, she was filled with uncertainty and fear and sorrow.

It seemed an eternity that she stood in the small chamber all alone, awaiting the doors to open and lead her into a new life. She closed her eyes and breathed in deep, trying to calm her thundering heart. A million doubts were rushing through her mind all screaming to her that she was making a mistake. There was no way to silence her fears. She had heard them all countless times, and yet here she stood, ready to deny them all- and then the doors opened.

Zelda found herself looking down the expansive hall, lined with only her closest friends, all smiling at her encouragingly, some already with tear filled eyes. For a moment she froze: her body refusing to move. All at once she became paralyzed, knowing she couldn’t go through with it. She couldn’t throw it all away. She couldn’t give up her life and all she had ever known. The sacrifice was too much: the fear that lay ahead too menacing and daunting.

Then her eyes met his, locking onto him. All at once her trepidations melted and courage filled her entire being. He stood there almost unrecognizable in fine tailored clothes, clean and well groomed and looking a little bashful. Catching her eye, though, he smiled and instantly she returned it. She looked into Link’s eyes across the hall and she found the strength to step forward, ready to enter a new life with him, willingly leaving her old life behind. For him she would brave anything, face anything, and defeat anything. And so she made her way across the long corridor and into Link’s awaiting arms.

The words were short and simple. Link held onto her hand, both unable to believe they were really standing in this moment. To Link it seemed a dream too fantastic to be real. The time passed in a blur, and before she knew it Zelda was being enveloped in Link’s kiss, no trace of doubt within her.

They kissed each other long and deep, drowning in the moment. When the two finally parted the small crowd was watching in silent respect for the newly created royal couple. A smile beamed on every face and many more wiping tears from their eyes. Zelda took Link’s hand, her face beaming with elation and they proceeded through the hall. As they passed Nabooru she winked slyly before tipping her head. Darunia and his Goron brothers smiled and bowed deeply in reverence and honor, which made Link blush. Ruto, her father and their small entourage of Zora also bowed, Ruto doing her best to hide her disappointment. Saria had tears of mingled joy and heartache in her eyes as she too bowed as Link gave her an affectionate smile. Elice smiled brightly as they passed her, both Link and Zelda elated to have her there. She curtsied politely, making Roy fidget beside her. He looked unsure about what to do as they approached him, and so he smiled weakly and gave a nervous wave, trying to decide whether to bow or not. It was all Zelda could do to keep from giggling as Elice gave Roy a threatening look, which he tried to ignore until she poked him in the ribs, sending him into a clumsy half bow.

They moved on past a few others, finally nearing the door. There, standing alone, almost unnoticed, was Impa. Her face appeared as stoic as ever, but in her eyes Zelda could see through the guise. In them reflected love and pride and joy, and knowing she had Impa’s support only bolstered Zelda more. No words need pass between them as Zelda and Link together walked out of the hall and into the warm morning sunlight.


_________________________________________________


“Congratulations!” Elice cried joyously, hugging Zelda. “I’m so happy for you,” she smiled at them both sincerely.

“Thank you, Elice,” Link grinned, hugging her.

“Yes, we’re both happy for you!” Roy burst loudly, nearly dragging Elice away from Link, promptly putting his own arm around her shoulder and holding her tight. “Both of us,” he added once more. “Us, together…” he punched each word meaningfully.

Elice rolled her eyes but smiled, putting her arm around Roy. She couldn’t help but find it cute that Roy was still protective of her, even at this moment.

“If I didn’t know it was you I would barely recognize you,” Zelda said to Elice. “You’ve changed so much since I last saw you.”

Elice smiled demurely. As with Zelda her childlike features had slowly melted away as she had entered her twentieth year. She had grown from a fiery youth into a more mature, graceful woman, though the fire still burned in her blue eyes, lurking just beneath the surface.

“I might say the same about both of you,” Elice replied. “You truly look like royalty- both of you.”

Once again Link found himself blushing. The years had changed him as well. He was broader in the shoulders, his body more filled out and more powerful than before. He still looked young, but there was a rugged strength in his once youthful countenance that was very powerful and demanding. Maturity had replaced the recklessness of youth. More than physically, though, they had all aged in spirit, and Elice could sense it immediately.

“You both simply seem different somehow… older perhaps,” she mused almost to herself. “Something’s changed; I can see it in your eyes.”

“Perhaps we’ve grown up,” Zelda replied.

“When did that happen?” Link asked with a laugh.

“Hey, Elice,” Roy asked. His round face just as impish as ever, his eyes suddenly alight with excitement, pointing towards the nearby table covered with food. “Do you think I could fit that whole roasted goose leg in my mouth at once? I’ll bet I can do it now!”

Elice cringed and covered her face in her hands, “Some of us are still waiting for it to happen,” she sighed as Zelda laughed.

“What?” Roy asked her incredulously.

“These past few years have not been easy ones,” Elice went on seriously. “We have had much to do.”

“You are doing well, I hope,” Zelda was genuinely concerned with Aritia’s welfare.

“Much better than before,” Elice assured her. “Much of the city has been rebuilt, and we are beginning work on a new castle. We built the homes first, then started farming and preparing to grow food to sustain us. Everyone has worked so hard and we have come so far, but there is still a long way to go. We still cannot thank you enough for what you both did for us.”

“What of Akanea?” Link asked.

“They slinked back to their filthy hole and we haven’t heard or seen from them since,” Roy said rather proudly. “I guess we showed them what happens when you mess with Aritia, eh Zelda?”

Zelda smiled nervously, still a little embarrassed about all she had heard she had done that night on the battlefield.

Elice went on, “It seems it was Hardin’s personal vendetta against us that brought them down on us so hard. With him gone,” Roy clapped her proudly on the back, “they don’t seem to have much interest in our conquest. Really, under Hardin’s rule they were focused on military exploits for so long that their Kingdom was greatly neglected. Once they were forced back home to lick their wounds I think they finally saw what a terrible mess they had forced themselves into.”

“All the power they thought they had over our lands was all a façade, and without Hardin there to keep them going it all simply collapsed. He ruled by fear and manipulation and with his death the empire he was building crumbled. They cannot afford another war with us anymore than we can. So, for the moment at least, we are safe, and we have peace.”

“I’m so happy for you,” Zelda smiled, “and I’m glad that you both came here today. I know it’s such a long trip, but it means so much to both of us to have you here.” Link nodded beside her.

“Are you kidding?” Roy asked, “Everyone from Midina to Sacae has been talking about the legendary Demon Slaying Princess of Hyrule getting married, to a mystery man, and I don’t think anyone could have guessed that you’d chosen Link.”

Zelda squeezed Link’s hand, trying to convince him to stay patient with Roy’s brash nature.

“I guess these two girls are both marrying up,” Roy laughed to Link who forced a smile. Link had never fully forgotten Roy’s part in Marth’s scheme, and while he remained cordial for Zelda’s sake he couldn’t fully get past his residual distaste for Roy.

“Ah ha!” Elice exclaimed, pointing a finger at Roy accusingly with a huge smile on her face. “You just said it! Both! Marrying! You said it yourself, Roy!”

“I- uh- well,” Roy stammered, suddenly looking very nervous and cornered.

“Admit it,” Elice grinned, “Come on, Roy, stop being such a coward and just come out with it!”

Roy continued to mumble, his face glowing red. “It’s just that- you don’t- I- didn’t-“

Elice just laughed and hugged him happily and gradually Roy calmed back down.

“We wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” Elice assured Zelda. “It seems we’re not alone, it seems the entire kingdom would be here if you would let them,” Elice looked around at the celebrating crowd.

“Not everyone,” Link said darkly and Zelda held him closer.

“What do you mean?” Elice asked, surprised at the change in Link.

“My father,” Zelda said hesitantly. “He didn’t approve of-“

“Me,” Link finished bluntly. He did not care what the king thought of him, but he was tired of Zelda’s father hurting her, and even though she assured Link that she didn’t care anymore he knew that deep down she wished he had come.

Zelda stroked his hand gently, “of my choice,” she said.

She had not asked for her father’s consent for she had known she would not get it. Instead she had walked calmly into his throne room and informed him of her decision. At first he could not believe she was serious, but as the truth sank in he had grown angry, sinking back into his old habits and starting yet another diatribe.

“Are you a great fool?” he had demanded to know. “You are asking me to give my Kingdom over to worthless rabble! I won’t do it, I tell you, I won’t do it! You cannot marry him!”

“I am not asking for your permission, Father,” she replied evenly.

“It is my throne you are asking for and thus you will do I as I say!”

“I am not asking for your throne,” she stated.

At this point the King had gone silent, to angry and shocked to speak. When finally he regained his voice he spoke in a low tone, “What are you saying? You are going to abdicate the throne?” he trembled in fury. “For that boy you are going to throw away your duty and your birthright?”

“I am not throwing anything away, and I am not abdicating the throne. I know my duty, father, and I know what I have to do. I am not relinquishing my responsibility to our people, if you will not force me to, but you must understand that this is my life and my choice. I will marry him.”

Her father had then burst into a tirade of monumental proportions, raging and thundering to a degree she had not seen before, but she didn’t care.

“Do not turn your back on me!” he threatened as she turned to leave. “How can you do this to me? You are asking me to give my only daughter to the likes of him? I will not have it! I will not stand for it! If you choose him then it is over! Your birthright will be dissolved!”

Zelda had stopped at this point, for a moment her nerve began to wane, but she knew she could not give in.

“I am going to marry him, Father,” she stated simply.

“How can you do this to me?” he asked again, but once more his front of fury had cracked and she could see through to the fear and sorrow he had tried for so many years to hide. “How can you choose him over your duty, your family… you are all I have left.” His voice, now meek and fragile, hit her harder than his shouting ever could.

She felt a chill sweep over her as she turned her head back towards him. “I am not making that decision, Father. If this is to part us, it will be upon you.”

With that she had left and she had not gone back.

“He didn’t come today,” Zelda told Elice. “I haven’t spoken to him since I told him about Link, and I thought that this was it. I was ready for the end, if he would force it upon me. Yesterday, though, this was brought to my room,” she indicated the beautiful white dress she was wearing. “It was my mother’s,” she explained, her eyes moistening. “They said my father had requested it be brought to me.”

Her eyes went up to the castle towers, searching them as though she could see beyond the walls. “I pity him, sitting up there all alone,” she sighed, no tears now. Her face was calm and sincere, “but I’ve accepted the fact that I have no control over what he does. His misery is not my doing but his, and I will not let him carry me down the same path.”

“I know what this means to you,” Elice said understandingly. “I know what you are giving up-“

“No,” Zelda shook her head, leaning against Link and pulling him closer. “I have given up nothing. All along I thought that I had to choose between Link and my kingdom, and it wasn’t until I got back and really looked at things here before I realized that I don’t have to choose one or the other at all. I have a duty to my people, that is true. I will not abandon them, but I see now that sitting behind those stone walls is not the only way to serve them. Link has shown me that. He has done more for my people and your people and people from countless other lands than many rulers who spend a hundred years upon their throne. I can still serve them, perhaps better than I had ever hoped to, and I will do so with Link at my side.”

“Hyrule is lucky to have you,” Elice said with a smile.

“So am I,” Link said, kissing her softly.

In the distance, shrouded and hooded a dark figure stood hidden in shadow, not wishing to be seen. He had come a long way just to see her. He knew there was more to this endeavor than a slight sense of masochism. He simply needed to see her again, to see for himself that she was well and happy. Still, somewhere inside he couldn’t help but feel he deserved it: still deserved to be punished. He watched her across the courtyard for a moment, laughing and talking with Elice and Roy, Link right by her side.

He knew at this point that it was already over. She was his wife: gone forever. Still, it made him smile inside to see her laughing again. He watched for a moment longer, telling himself over and over that he would leave after just one more minute, and then Link drew the Princess in his arms and kissed her.

He had never seen that before, and in an instant reality was thrust in his face: cold and unforgiving. He had not seen her for four years, and yet in an instant every wound reopened with fresh pain and he knew he would have to heal all over again. He had seen enough. She had moved on. She was happy: and that was all he could ask for.

“Goodbye, Zelda,” Marth whispered, looking at her one last time he finally turned and silently left the courtyard.


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The morning was far spent when Malon made her way into the house from the fields. The sky had been a deep blue with faint pink streaks in the east when she had gotten out of bed that morning, unable to sleep. She had pulled on a shawl and walked across the dewy grass out to the pasture. The horses had still been lazing about, slowly making their way toward the gate in anticipation of breakfast. It was early still, though, and nearly silent but for the sound of the breeze blowing through the leaves on the trees and skimming the surface of the grass.

Malon loved this time of day: before the world awakened and it was simply her and her horses. She pulled herself up onto the fence, sitting on the top rung with her feet dangling into the pasture. Shivering slightly as a gust of wind grazed over her she pulled her shawl more tightly around her, looking up into the clear sky which was now a deep purple, beams of gold creeping up over the mountains in the distance.

In the openness and the darkness she suddenly felt very small and alone and helpless. It was a wretched feeling, clutching at her heart, making her feel very cold right down to her core. Fighting it, she closed her eyes and began to sing, one of her favorite morning songs, one her mother had taught her long ago. Hearing her voice her horses began to raise their heads from the ground, all eyes falling upon her. Gradually they began to make their way towards her, following the melody they knew so well.

She kept her eyes shut, concentrating on the sound of their hooves and the peace of her music. When at last the song ended she opened her eyes, her gaze met and by her beloved animals. She extended her hand to a nearby filly, stroking her nose. The filly playfully tossed her head, rubbing against Malon’s hand lovingly.

Malon couldn’t help but smile, her heart warmed even as the sun climbed higher and higher into the sky. She finished her chores on time then lazily strolled the grounds, not wanting to go back home. She knew what her father would talk about: what everyone was talking about, and she didn’t want to hear about it anymore. She couldn’t fake a smile anymore, couldn’t pretend that everything was all right when inside her heart was broken.

She whiled away as much time as possible, and finally when she could postpone it no longer she went inside.

“Good morning!” Talon beamed at her from over the breakfast table. “Where’ve you been? The horses haven’t been giving you trouble this morning, I hope.”

“Oh, no, Papa, everything’s fine,” Malon replied, pushing a chicken gently aside with her foot and making her way into the kitchen. “I’ve just been enjoying the morning air.”

“It is a beautiful day,” Talon remarked as he looked out the window at the sun streaming in. “Hurry and eat and we’ll go into town. Today’s the big day, you know!”

Malon felt her stomach clench. “You go, Papa, I’ll stay here.”

“Nonsense!” Talon replied. “It’s not every day there’s a wedding celebration like this in Hyrule, and I have a special invitation, presented to me for my loyal service to the royal family for these many years.”

Malon tried to calm her racing heartbeat. Her father had about burst with pride when he had received an invitation to the wedding celebration. Malon had read it with tears in her eyes, over and over, wishing and hoping in vain that somehow it wasn’t true.

“Not many people have been invited,” Talon told her for the hundredth time. He seemed oblivious to her pain every time he brought up the subject countless times over the past month.

“I know,” Malon replied in a falsely genial tone.

“It should be fun.”

“I know you’ll have fun, Papa, but there’s work to be done. You go, I’ll just stay here.”

“Nonsense, the work can wait!”

“I’d rather stay here,” Malon’s tone was gradually growing more harried.

“But Link is a good friend of ours, and besides, you’ll even get to see the princess. That will be exciting, won’t-“

SMASH. The picture of water Malon had been holding fell from her shaking hands, crashing to the floor and shattering into pieces, water splashing everywhere.

“I’m sorry!” Malon exclaimed, kneeling down and picking up the pieces.

“My dear, are you all right?” Talon asked with concern, kneeling down beside her. “You’re trembling…..”

“I’m fine,” she forced out tensely, not looking him in the eye. She stood up quickly, dodging his attempts to stop her. “I just-“she stammered, her voice growing thin and threatening to crack. “I need some air.”

With that she took off out the door, running down the trail that led out of the ranch, past the gate and out into the open expanse of Hyrule Field. She kept running and she didn’t stop until her legs ached and she could go no further. Tears already blurring her eyes, shaking and unable to fight it any longer she threw herself down on the ground at the foot of a large oak tree, releasing her emotions. Lying in the grass in the shade of the leaves she wept: long and hard.


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It was a bittersweet feeling as Zelda climbed the stairs of the tower, preparing to leave the castle. It hardly seemed possible that she was truly Link’s wife, and that they would be leaving together at any moment. It was too good to be true, and reality did not seem to have struck yet with full impact. She opened the door to her room, standing in the doorway for a moment.

Slowly she stepped inside. She ran her hands over the curtains in her window, looking out at the view beyond. She touched the wooden chest at the foot of her bed, her eyes passing over the entire room: taking it all in, memorizing it by heart.

On her bed sat her single weathered pack: the most humble of her possessions, which now held all she would be taking with her into her new life. It was all she needed. The simplicity of it was refreshing to her.

She sat down beside it, her brow furrowing. There, its stem woven into the laces of the bag, lay a single flower. A peculiar feeling swept over her and she felt as though she had traveled back in time, reliving a moment of her life. She pulled the flower from the pack, looking at it in wonder. The silky white petals and sun golden face seemed to look up at her, the sweet smell bringing a sense of nostalgia.

Suddenly she placed the flower down on the bed, running to the window. Her eyes roved over the land, looking out beyond the castle grounds to the wide dirt road beyond the gate. There, cloaked in deep blue, walking solitarily down the dusty path was a figure she recognized even at a distance. She would know that powerful gait and noble stature anywhere. Even as she watched Marth turned back, gazing up at her castle momentarily before once more trudging forward, finally vanishing into the crowds beyond.

Zelda stepped back from the window, at a complete loss. As she turned her back to the window, the sunlight caught something silver on her bed beside her pack. Moving forward curiously, she immediately felt her stomach drop. She picked up the silver ornament by its delicate chain, staring at it in disbelief. It hardly seemed possible that it could be the same necklace Marth had once given her, and which she had returned to him four years ago: the last time she had spoken to him. She didn’t know what to think or what to feel. His sudden presence was so unexpected and unwanted she didn’t know how to react, but before she had time to come to grips with it a call came from the hall, jolting her back into reality.

“Zelda?”

Her heart leapt in shock and she dropped the flower onto her bed, clutching the necklace behind her back in embarrassment.

“I’m coming, Link!” she called back a little anxiously, hearing his footsteps coming up the stairs. Frantically she searched her room, finally opening the chest at the foot of her bed, hurriedly tossing the necklace inside and slamming the lid shut. She gathered her pack and turned just in time to see Link enter the doorway, leaning against the door post and smiling at her.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

Zelda took a deep breath, trying not to look shaken. She stepped towards him, taking his hand. She looked over the room for one last time. Everything was in perfectly in place, sitting unmoving and statuesque as though silently awaiting her return.

“Yes,” she said, smiling genuinely. All trepidation had gone and she suddenly felt herself brimming with excitement for the new adventure she was about to begin. “I’m ready to go.”


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Marth wandered slowly through the crowds of the Castle Town, listening half heartedly to the excited chatter as he passed by. Everyone was milling around the heavily guarded gates, peering up at the castle as though trying to catch a glimpse of the Princess and her new husband. Speculations continued to fly about who he was and when he would be publicly revealed.

Marth tried to shut them out as he walked, concentrating on his own thoughts instead. He was relieved when he finally got to the outskirts of town and the din of the crowd finally quieted. Silently he made his way over the drawbridge, nodding politely to the guard as he passed, his heavy boots thudding on the thick, wooden planks.

He stepped out onto the small dusty path that led out onto Hyrule field, not sure where he was going. He only knew he couldn’t stay near the castle any longer and he was not ready to return to Aritia. He simply wanted to walk, to be alone, to have time to himself in peace and tranquility. So he moved on, to nowhere in particular, kicking up dust and heading for the horizon.

The sun crossed the sky, and before he knew it the cloudless blue day was melting into a flaming sunset. He had wandered so far off the beaten path that the only sound now was the chirping of crickets in the long, golden grass. Looking down at his lengthening shadow he sighed, wondering if he should simply give it and go home, and then he heard it. It was soft at first, and he wasn’t certain he had really heard it. It might have simply been the wind… but then it started to swell. The most beautiful singing he had ever heard was suddenly dancing on the breeze.

He listened quietly for a moment, and then started towards the sound. He turned to the east, heading towards a small, grassy hill, climbing to the top, the chilling music still ringing in his ears. He stopped at the top, looking around, his eyes coming to rest on a figure sitting not far in the distance under the shade of a large tree. He approached quietly, not wanting to disturb her. She continued to sing, the music gentle yet piercingly sad: the saddest thing he had ever heard and it cut him to the core.

He could see now that she was a young woman, her head inclined slightly downward. She looked so natural, sitting among the grassy stalks, the red hue of the sunlight matching her shimmering hair and blending her seamlessly into the surroundings. Her eyes were closed as she continued to sing, lost in her heartbroken reverie. Marth closed his eyes too, letting her song fill him, feeling he already knew it by heart. Then, all at once she stopped and Marth heard a gasp. He opened his eyes to see her staring up at him in fright.

“I’m sorry, Miss,” he apologized quickly and a little embarrassed as she continued to look at him with wide, sparkling green eyes over her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Malon gazed up at him, the shock wearing away, unable to keep from noticing how very handsome he was. Standing above her tall and strong in glimmering armor, his cape fluttering behind him in the breeze he looked like something out of a dream. His dark eyes met hers, and her heart leapt within her.

“Hello,” she said demurely, smiling shyly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Marth replied, bowing courteously, causing Malon to blush slightly. “May I?” Marth gestured to the ground beside her.

“Please,” Malon replied graciously, and Marth took a seat beside her under the setting sun.


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Out on the western plains of Hyrule Zelda was looking up at the same sky, struck by the beauty around her. The wide expanses of the world would never cease to amaze her, and the knowledge that she was now free to roam over hill and plain filled her soul with joy. She pulled back on her reins, slowly coming to a halt, Link pulling up beside her. Her eyes searched the sky, drinking in the beauty and warmth of the last rays of sun as they slowly sunk below the skyline. Sitting on her white mare beside Link and Epona Zelda had never felt more alive. She could feel energy coursing through her veins, spreading through her entire being.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered in awe, turning to Link with a smile.

Link looked back at her deeply, profound affection echoing in his eyes, “They’re yours now: this one and every one from now on.”

“I’ll take them,” she beamed. “I’ll take them all!”

The two sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the peace of the moment.

“Do you ever regret it?” Link asked suddenly.

“Regret what?” Zelda inquired.

“The way things turned out,” Link replied hesitantly. “I mean, do you ever wish that things had gone differently? That the True Force had been mastered here in Hyrule? That we weren’t able to use its power to bring Hyrule into a golden age? That we’re stuck here in a world with so much darkness?”

“Without darkness we would never know the joy of a sunrise,” Zelda replied sincerely, though she had a playful expression on her face. “Besides, where is the adventure in perfection?”

Link’s eyes met hers, and he gazed at her for a moment as though in awe. Then, without warning he leaned over and kissed her, as before them the sky continued to darken, rich golds fading into dark purples and blues. She kissed him back, holding on tight. When at last they released Zelda laughed blissfully. She kicked her steed, quickly breaking into a full run, closing her eyes and letting the wind rush past her face. Link grinned at her, watching her hair flying behind her as she charged joyously up the hill.

“Yah!” Link spurred Epona forward, galloping at full speed right behind the Princess. Together they thundered down the knoll, over the path and across the plain, chasing after the horizon and never looking back.


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Navarre’s heavy footsteps echoed loudly against the cold, stone walls of the dark corridor, finding his way to the King’s chamber by the flickering torchlight. Never one to be inhibited he pushed the wooden doors open and walked right in, approaching the throne with a calm and impassive expression.

“You sent for me?” he asked bluntly, with no exchanging of pleasantries.

Zagaro looked up from his throne, his bloodshot eyes mere slits of loathing and misery.  The room was small and dark and damp, the one window on the wall covered with a tattered cloth, letting only shards of light through.

“Yes,” he hissed. “I have need of your assistance. I want to move. I am tired of delays. I am tired of waiting! I will stand for no more excuses! I want blood, now!”

“With all due respect,” Navarre replied in a cold, almost sarcastically respectful tone, “that is not my problem. I’m not a solider in your army.”

“I know who you are!” Zagaro barked. “You’re a bloodthirsty mercenary!”

“Flattery will get you no where, but if you know who I am then you must know I work alone,” Navarre went on calmly, completely unaffected by the outburst. “I’m in this for myself. I don’t care about you, or Hardin or Aritia or your stupid war.”

“That is why I have called you,” Zagaro growled, his gaunt face twisting with rage. “I am not interested in military conquest of Aritia either. That pitiful expanse of dirt farmers and shacks holds no significance to me. Aritia was Hardin’s desire, not mine. I want one thing and one thing only,” his voice continued to lower, growing fiercer by he second. “I want revenge.”

“Revenge?” Navarre mused coolly. “Now that’s something I can help with, for the right price,” he sneered.

“Take your gold,” Zagaro grumbled, unceremoniously throwing a sack of gold pieces at Navarre’s feet.

Navarre scooped up the sack, eyeing a coin suspiciously before asking, “And what exactly am I avenging?”

“Our King is dead,” Zagaro rumbled, snarling like a wild beast. “He was murdered and I want justice. They killed our King, they slaughtered our people and they have left our kingdom to wallow in misery and destruction! I want them to suffer! I want them to die!”

“All right. Who do you want dead,” Navarre asked, as apathetic as Zagaro was raving mad.

“The Prince Marth, his murderous sister and the sorceress,” Zagaro shook with growing madness with each word.

“That is a big job,” Navarre replied in mock hesitation. Zagaro thrust another bag at his feet, and Navarre snatched it up.

“Bring them to me!” Zagaro demanded.

“Consider it done, Your Majesty,” he smirked, giving and disingenuous bow, then he turned and showed himself out of the chamber, vanishing as quickly as he had come.

Zagaro slumped back into his seat and buried his head in his hands, mumbling wretchedly to himself. “I will make them pay for murdering my father.”


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To be continued…

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