Chapter One

Zelda sighed as she brushed a golden lock behind her ear. Her head was pounding and her whole body seemed to ache. She sighed again, leaning back against the seemingly stone chair. Her eyes looked through the tall windows and out onto the starry sky. The fire crackled quietly in the corner and she heard the soft cries of the night birds.

It was beautiful...

Peaceful...

The room was spacious, but it provided the essentials of a writing desk, a dresser, changing screen, private bath and a bed with a long, deep fireplace along one wall.

Her eyes drifted close...

Slowly she lowered her head to the heavy desk, pushing papers and quills out of her way. She' been signing the stupid things all day, covering the reports of supplies and flow of merchants. They weren't really stupid and she knew it but after awhile it seemed trivial to her day after day.

The wood was surprisingly cool against her fiery skin. The nearby candles flickered as the night breeze washed into the room and sighing once more she lifted her head from the desk, snorting with irritation as a paper stuck to her cheek. Slapping it away she stood, moving towards the large windows that reached from the stone floors to the stone lined ceilings. One was open and stepping through it she halted on the balcony.

The cool breeze caressed her body and dressed in her simple night gown with her hair loose. She placed her hands on the stone railing and closed her eyes.

It'd been nearly seven years...

She still remembered meeting Link in the gardens and telling him about Ganondorf's plans and thwarting them together.

Yet...

It seemed as if no one else remembered it...

Only Link did...

Her eyes opened as warmth flooded her heart. She didn't know when she'd fallen in love with him, but she realized it on his last visit. It was nearly a week ago. He'd come riding in on Epona, his brilliant blonde hair tussled and his blue eyes bright as they galloped up to the steps. He'd leapt off, landing easily on his feet and had greeted her warmly with a hug.

It was in his embrace that her heart had melted to pool at her feet...

Her soft grin grew and she reached up, touching her cheek as she felt them flush. She jumped, shaking her head as if the simple action would clear it.

She was a princess...

She had a duty to her kingdom...

Not to her heart...

For though Link was now a knight he was not of royal blood and her father, no matter how much he loved Link, would not give his blessing if they were to be married. Zelda grimaced, for she wasn't even sure Link loved her in return, for she was not naïve and knew that he had met other women on his travels.

She sighed and rested her chin in her hands as her soft blue eyes wandered over the scenery below her. Castle Town, even at night, bustled lively and a longing to see it filled her.

But she knew her duties...

Straightening she brushed her golden locks back once more, irritated that they kept getting in her face. Raising her eyes to the night sky she halted, mesmerized as the stars glittered overhead while the moon, a breathtaking white, shined down upon the land.

She always loved the night...

It was the only time she could get away and think only about herself and not of the demands of the kingdom. Zelda lowered her eyes to the rolling hills, wishing that she were out there on her mare, streaking across them at breathtaking speeds.

Something kept pulling at her heart...

Loneliness...

Another soft sigh left her lips...

Zelda knew that she was a strong person, she had to be, but that did not mean that she didn't grow lonely at the late hours of the night. She wrapped her arms around herself, silently wishing that someone was there to do that for her.

But no one was...

A light flashed in the distance...

She frowned while raising her eyes to the dark clouds that covered the night sky.

A storm was coming...

Relief filled her, for she knew that the villagers along the southern border needed it for their crops. The wind picked up, causing her to tighten her arms around her for it suddenly held a bitter bite to it.

A shiver raced up her spine...

Shaking her head she turned and headed back inside, closing the door behind her. Her fingers lingered on the suddenly cold glass, her eyes rising to the looming clouds.

Aye...

There certainly was a storm coming...

Unbeknownst to her however...

She didn't know how violent this storm was going to be...

VVVV

The rain poured down on him...

Link brushed the rain droplets from his hair, rolling his stiff shoulders as he sat atop Epona. She shook her head, snorting as water got in her nose and Link smiled at her, patting her neck affectionately.

"I know girl, but we're almost there," he encouraged as they continued to walk through Hyrule Field. Lightning flashed overhead and she danced nervously underneath him. He soothed her with a few words while kicking her into a light canter.

The storm raged overhead and Link lowered his frame closer to Epona's as they climbed the rolling hills. He'd left the desert after discussing optimal peace between Princess Zelda and the Gerudo people and as far as he knew it would be a success.

Zelda...

His thoughts grew warm when he thought of her...

Urging Epona further on, they topped the hill. He smiled when he saw the shimmering white wall that lined the outside of Castle Town. The torches flickered despite the pounding rain, highlighting the raised drawbridge.

"Come daylight, you'll be in a dry stall being fed warm oats, girl." Link murmured into Epona's ear and she nickered a reply. He chuckled and spurred her onward. They trotted down the hill, not seeing the shifting shadow that trailed them.

Epona tensed underneath him, raising her head to the left and he frowned. As he turned in the saddle she gave a sharp whiney in warning but it was too late.

Something slammed into him...

He hit the ground...

An explosion went off in his ears...

Dazed he stared up at the stormy sky...

His vision grew fuzzy...

Then black...

VVVV

Zelda didn't like waiting...

She shifted impatiently in her room, the rain continuing to pound outside the glass windows. Though it was just a storm, something deep down inside her told her it was something more. As if it was a horrible omen. She wrung her hands tightly in front of her.

"Princess, stop worrying," Impa said as she stood in the corner of the room. Zelda glanced at her, worry in her gaze.

"I'm not," she retorted but at Impa's raised brow she grumbled underneath her breath.

She knew Link was capable of taking care of himself...

He'd been like that since they were children...

Yet that did not comfort her...

She kept pacing, biting down on her bottom lip...

Impa sighed, moving off of the pillar to cross to her when through the raging storm there came a blast of trumpet. Zelda halted, her eyes going wide and picking up her skirts she streaked towards the door, Impa behind her.

For that wasn't a greeting trumpet...

It was a trumpet of war...

Together they raced down the corridors to the main hall. Flying down the large marble stairs Zelda ran over to the large iron doors that were promptly opened for her. The wind howled outside, shrieking into the large foyer but Zelda didn't care. She stepped out onto the rain, her eyes searching and they fell on a group of guards at the bottom of the steps.

They were shouting and waving their swords, brandishing them against a foe Zelda could not see. The rain made everything fuzzy and distorted but she made out two figures on horseback. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to focus but before she could the horn sounded again and Zelda felt someone grasp her arm.

"Princess, you must not be here!" Shouted a guard and she saw his wild and fearful expression.

"Unhand me at once!" Zelda commanded while ripping her arm from his grasp. She turned fully, her gown getting horribly soaked from the rain but she didn't care and began to rush down the steps.

"What is going on here?" She demanded and the guards, nearly six of them, turned to look at her and she saw that same fear in their eyes.

"Princess get back inside the castle!" They shouted as they lunged upon a man on horseback. The horse's hide was the color of night, its hide glistening from the pounding rain. It tossed its head, gnawing at the silver bit between its teeth and as a guard lunged at its master it reared, pawing at the air with its sharp hooves. One cried out as it was struck, falling onto the wet cobblestones and as the horse lowered its massive and powerful frame it revealed its rider.

The man was covered in a black cloak with the hood pulled over his face. A scarf covered the lower part of his face so that Zelda could not make out his facial features and she was too far away to see his eyes. He turned the horse sharply, lifting his sword into the air.

Zelda gasped...

It looked exactly like the same sword Link carried...

The Mastersword...

Her gut twisted with anger and she hastily ran down the last few steps, igorning Impa who tried to stop her.

"Stop it! I command you to stop!" She shouted but her voice was drowned out by the lightning and thunder. Zelda narrowed her eyes, running towards them.

Just then the other figure caught her attention...

A horse, her hide the color of rubies, raced towards her...

"Epona?" Zelda asked in bewilderment and the mare nickered a soft greeting while pushing her nose into Zelda's chest. She stroked the horse, stepping around to see the figure slumped over her back.

Her heart froze...

Link...

He was covered in a brown cloak, his blonde hair ratted and filled with mud but what alarmed her most was the blood that trickled down his brow.

"Link!" She shrieked while framing his face, gently stroking his cheeks. "Impa! Impa!" She screamed and in a flash her guardian was beside her.

"Princess, what is—" Her words ended abruptly when she saw Link's unconscious form. Without a word she pulled him from the saddle, cradling him in her arms despite Link's long, muscular form for Impa herself was rather built.

"Oh Impa what could have happened to him?" Zelda asked as panic started to fill her. Before Impa could reply the stranger on the black horse brandished his shield and Zelda's eyes widened.

It was the Hylian Shield...

Only instead of its usual colors the base was black whilst everything else was a faded white...

"What is going on?" Zelda gasped but again her eyes widened further when the stranger turned in the saddle and she knew that he was looking straight at her.

Her stomach tightened...

The man kicked his steed in the side and with a scream the horse lunged forward, lashing out at the soldiers as they tried to spear him. Zelda's hands tightened in anger.

Before she knew what she was doing she was running towards them...

"Stop it! Stop this right now!" She shouted but again her voice was drowned out by the storm.

"Princess!" Impa called after her but she could not chase after her due to Link's limp body in her arms but she could not set him on the ground for fear of having his body tromped.

"Stop!" Zelda shouted as she came closer to the ring of guards but either they did not hear here or chose not to listen. One, hefting his spear, chucked it and Zelda's breath caught in her lungs but the man easily dodged it, his horse dancing off to the left.

Turning the beast he pointed them towards the gate and Zelda looked up to see the guards lowering the massive iron bars. The man leaned low in the saddle, kicking his steed in the sides and with another unearthly scream the horse lurched forward.

The sharp sounds of the horse's hooves against the cobblestones echoed inside her ears as Zelda watched the man run from her guards, heading for the lowering gate.

Her breath caught in her throat...

Just a little more...

Then the gate crashed to the ground...

The man pulled on his steed's reins, causing the large horse to come to a sliding stop, rearing up in the air as he fought off more guards.

Zelda didn't know who this man was, but he'd saved Link's life by bringing him here and this was how they were repaying him? Anger, hot and fiery, whelmed up inside her once more and again, she chased after her guards.

She'd deal out their punishment later...

She started to wave her arms, screaming at the tops of her lungs but it was no use. They did not hear here. The man fought them off, only injuring them slightly but she gasped when a spearman got past his defenses, sliding it along his ribs. The man stiffened in the saddle but easily swung his wrist, cutting the spear in half an using the hilt of his sword, knocked the guard unconscious.

Zelda watched...

Transfixed...

There was only one other that fought like that...

Her mind was so lost in the thought that she did not notice the figure that stole along the walls, its smile twisted gruesomely as it pulled out a bow and arrow. It notched it, its soulless eyes glittering with malice as the creature strung the bow.

And fired...

VVVV

Damn guards!

He gritted his teeth and continued to fight them off, cursing them as his horse danced underneath him to keep him out of range of the deadly spears. The rain pounded down on him, soaking through the cloak he wore making it heavy and awkward. He ignored it and blocked another attack from a spear.

Then something pricked his senses...

He turned in the saddle, lifting his face to the wall and saw the archer. He followed the pointed arrow and froze when he saw the Princess standing there.

Her gown clung to her every curve...

Her blonde hair was wet, falling in tangled waves around her shoulders...

Her pale cheeks were flushed and her utterly captivating blue eyes were upon him...

Something deep inside him tugged...

Hard...

Without thinking he kicked his steed once more, sending them flying through the line of guards as the archer fired his arrow. The sharp sounds of his horse's hooves echoed inside his skull as his heartbeat accelerated inside his chest.

Almost...

He leapt from the saddle, tackling the girl to the ground as the arrow slid along his shield that he'd hastily slung over his back. They rolled over the wet cobblestones, their bodies molding together until they finally came to a stop.

He groaned slightly, his whole body aching and lifted himself up so that he was on his elbows. He froze when he saw her underneath him.

He'd seen her from a distance...

Always from a distance...

Having her in front of him made his gut tighten and twist...

Her body was so soft underneath his, every curve matching his own perfectly and a low groan of pleasure threatened to leave his lips. He gazed down into her dazed and surprised face.

Beautiful...

He stared down at her and she stared up at him, her lips parted in breathless gasps. He looked into her sapphire eyes, searching for something that was always there if anyone looked upon him.

Fear...

He frowned, his gaze intensifying...

He found none...

Only perhaps a heated desire that matched his own...

It made his cool blood boil...

VVVV

Who was he?

Zelda swallowed, trying to keep her bearings as she stared up at his face. The scarf that he'd worn lay beside her head, exposing his face to her.

He looked exactly like Link...

The same strong jaw line, the same sensuous lips, the same straight nose, high cheekbones...

Only...

His skin was an alabaster white and his eyes...

They were blood red...

Dark bangs hung over his forehead and she swallowed, the sudden urge to reach up and run her fingers through it whelming up inside her.

She blinked...

"Well, well," the man murmured softly, his voice caressing her ears, "we finally meet, Princess," he whispered the last word almost sardonically and her eyes widened.

She opened her mouth to reply but before she could the man's head snapped to the left as a spearmen kicked him harshly. The man rolled off of her and Zelda sat up, her body feeling overly warm and flushed but she told herself it was because of the anger that washed over her.

"No don't!" Zelda cried as she stood, moving to restrain the guards that pounced on the man who cursed and berated them. Her cheeks flushed at his language but as she went to pummel a guard with her fist a voice rose up over the storm.

"Zelda!" It was utterly firm and Zelda halted. She looked over her shoulder to see her father standing there in the rain, his own blue eyes narrowed in anger, and something else.

Fear...

"Father!" She cried and ran up to him, "You have to stop this!" She shouted and he glowered at her, his eyes falling on the kicking and struggling stranger.

"Take him to the dungeons and clasp him in irons!" He ordered and Zelda watched, helpless as the man was dragged off.

"You can't do that!" She shouted at her father as he turned to go back inside the palace. He ignored her once more and entered, servants awaiting to attend him. "He saved my life!" She hissed and waved off one of her maids as they tried to fuss over her. She was perfectly fine besides a few new bruises.

"I highly doubt that, Zelda," he retorted and she glared at him. Before she could reply another figure filled the doorway.

Impa...

She stood there, starting to struggle with Link's limp weight and instantly Zelda was beside her, trying her best to support Link as well.

"Hurry! Fetch the physician!" Zelda ordered one of the maids who nodded and sprinted off to find him.

"Oh goddesses what happened to him?" Her father demanded as he touched Link's pale brow. Zelda narrowed her eyes as she got a better look at his wound. It seemed as if he'd been struck on the head.

"I don't know, he arrived like this, sire." Impa replied as they turned and ascended the stairs towards the upper floors.

"I'll call for Brunard," with that the king of Hyrule swept from the room. Impa and Zelda managed to get Link into his old room, carefully putting his soaked form onto the large bed. Maids bustled about the room, bringing hot water and bandages.

Link had remained still, not uttering a sound or a word of protest...

It made Zelda's stomach sink...

Just then the door opened to reveal the physician and Brunard, one of her father's top herbalists. They bowed respectfully to Zelda before moving to Link. They quickly began to examine him and Brunard looked at her, his haze gaze kind but his face firm.

"Princess, you must leave now so that we may properly be able to treat him," Brunard ordered but Zelda frowned.

"But—" she started but Impa reached out and grasped Zelda's arm.

"We understand," with that she tugged the princess from the room. The maids soon followed after, Links green tunic and armor cradled in their arms. Zelda didn't have time to contemplate that as Impa forced her down the hallway towards her own chambers.

"Impa, stop I am perfectly fine!" Zelda shouted in annoyance but her guardian ignored her and ordered a maid to draw a hot bath.

"You are shivering like a leaf, Princess, I will not have you catching a cold." Impa replied her tone firm and Zelda glowered at her.

"That still—" her words ended when thunder crashed against the castle walls. She jumped, looking out into the terrible, angry sky and another shiver raced up her spine.

The hot bath was drawn and Impa watched impatiently from the doorway as Zelda undressed and lowered herself into the bath, giving out a low moan as the hot water engulfed her.

It was amazing...

She sat there a moment before she looked up at Impa's impassive face...

"What do you think happened to Link?" Zelda asked and Impa sighed.

"Something trivial, I am sure that Brunard and the physician will find out what is wrong with him," Impa replied and Zelda gave an irritated sigh.

"But what about that man who saved me from that arrow?" Zelda questioned, "He looked exactly like Link," she murmured in awe and Impa was the one to lower her brows at Zelda.

"What do you mean, Princess?" She asked as Zelda stepped from the bath, one of the maids throwing a gown around her shoulders.

"I he looks exactly like Link. Also he saves my life, brings Link to the castle and my father has him imprisoned? Why? He seemed to know who this stranger was," she paused, "and he was afraid of him Impa." She looked at her guardian as she watched her ponder the situation.

"I cannot say, but my advice to you is to stay here and eat something warm while I go and speak with His Majesty," Impa ordered while turning and heading for the door. Zelda looked after her.

"I most certainly will not!" Zelda shouted but Impa ignored her, ushering the maids from the room.

"Yes, you will," with that she closed the door and Zelda heard the bolt slide into place. Her eyes widened as she stared at it.

Impa had locked her inside!

Fuming her hands fisted at her sides and she grinded her teeth. Turning she dressed in one of her casual gowns, leaving her hair in one simple, but elegant braid that reached her waist. As she dressed her mind played over the past events that had just happened to her.

Link was returning from Gerudo Valley, could it be that the Gerudo people had not wanted to accept her treaty? She scowled while looking out the window. Her terms had been reasonable and Zelda knew that the Gerudo Thieves respected only one man and that had been Link, but had they turned on him? She sighed and continued to gaze out the window. Her eyes looked down to the courtyard where she saw her guards trying to catch the massive steed the stranger had ridden.

She watched, transfixed as the horse fought as fiercely as his master. He lashed out at the guards, kicking and screaming with anger. His cries echoed into the sky as he raced along the wall, heading for the stairs that lined the inner side. He didn't slow down and with a bound, climbed the steps. Zelda gasped as he raced along the top end of the wall until finally when he was cornered he turned and with a flash of speed, leapt over the side.

She knew of the small moat that surrounded the castle would break his fall but it was pure amazement at the wild spirit that filled that horse. She shook her head, his owner coming to her mind.

He'd been injured, for the proof lay on her discarded dress. Her side was stained crimson and she knew that it had come from him. Just the thought of him made her cheeks flush as she remembered his long and hard body against hers. She'd never in her life been that close to a man in such an intimate position.

Quivers raced up her spine and she clasped her hands in front of her. It still angered her that her father had dragged him off to the dungeons, cold and wet and injured. And after he'd saved her life! She turned swiftly and headed for the fireplace. Picking up the poker she crossed the room and shoving it between the door and stone, popped the door off of its hinges. Tossing the poker back towards the fireplace she stepped out into the hall.

It was deserted...

Breathing a sigh of relief she turned and headed down the dark corridors...

Her destination...

The dungeons...

VVVV

AUTHOR NOTE: Okay this is my first fanfiction dealing with the Zelda series and I know not much happens in this chapter but I promise more will be coming! Please review!