The Legend of Zelda- The Lost Princess

Hi! This is my first Zelda story, so be kind, ok? Hehe. I do not own Legend of Zelda or any of its characters, except the ones I create. There, happy, you legal freaks?

Ok, on to business. This takes place seven years after OoT. Link was returned to his time and grew up with Zelda and Sheik, who is a completely separate person in this story. He lives at the castle under the favor of the Royal Family. Ok, so let's begin!

Chapter 1- Secrets

SWISH! CLANG!! The sound of metal striking rock rang out sharply in the clear morning air of Hyrule. A middle-aged Sheikah woman watched the source of the noise from a tower window in the castle, a small smile upon her lips.

The legendary Hero of Time, Link, was putting himself through the paces of his morning sword routine. The Sheikah woman, Impa, noted the perfection of his form, the grace of his strokes. NO ONE could handle a blade like the Hero.

Or charm the ladies, Impa thought with a wry smile. Her ward, the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda, had already lost her heart many a time to Link's charming smile. Impa couldn't really blame her as she studied the young man below her.

His unruly blond hair sparkled and shone like spun gold in the morning sun. Although his face was hidden by shocks of hair, Impa knew it well. Open, honest, and brave, with a wisdom that surpassed his tender 19 years. It was an arresting face, with chiseled features framing eyes so blue the waters of Lake Hylia paled in comparison. His catlike grace showed off his lean, sinewy body, clothed in his typical green tunic, undershirt, and leggings. Knee-high boots and matching gauntlets completed the ensemble. Impa loved the Hero like her own son, Sheik, who happened to be Link's best friend and Princess Zelda's Champion. Speaking of which, Impa thought as the the two young people in question strode out to join their friend. Impa noticed with a smirk the way Sheik's eyes never left Zelda, shining with a devotion that went far beyond the call of duty. For Sheik was in love with Zelda, but Zelda was in love with Link, and Link….well….his heart had never felt the stirring of such a tender feeling, always being bound by duty and concern for the welfare of the Royal family. The Royal Family….

Impa drew away from the window of her chamber and went to her vanity, slipping a key from around her neck and unlocking a plain wooden box emblazoned in red with the Eye of the Sheikah. From the box she pulled a miniature painted in loving detail on a small tablet of cherrywood. A young girl of about 10 flashed a reckless grin at her, her eyes dancing with mischief, the sandy background a dull monotone against the rich hue of her coppery-red hair. A few stray curls had escaped the long ponytail at the base of her neck to drift around her angelic face. Her eyes, however were the captivating feature- clear and golden like the rising sun, with a slight tinge of green. Impa closed her eyes at the memory of the last time she'd seen the girl. Those eyes had been pleading with her not to go, her face drawn and pale.

"Will you ever return for me, Impa?"

Her voice had quavered softly as she was led away.

Impa's voice was strained as she had replied, "Someday child, when it is safe….Someday."

Impa opened her crimson eyes, bright with unshed tears.

"Someday….That someday is here….Your Highness."

With that, Impa replaced the portrait in its box, turned the key, and went to speak with the Hero of Time.

Dun-dun DUN! Hope you guys like cliffhangers….there's a lot in this ficcy! I'll update soon- o…and I give out cookies to reviewers!