This started as a random fic, and turned epic. I have quite a bit of it written that i haven't posted yet, so keep reading, I'm just doing the cliffhangers for the heck of it. :P bask in my jerkiness. yes i realize that the beginning is made of cheese. get over it, it started as a zelink fic :P. Anyways, enjoy! ^^

I couldn't sleep all night, there was too much to think about. It had been one year exactly since the defeat of Ganondorf. At this exact moment one year ago, I stood against the King of Evil himself. I winced at the memories as I sat and stared at the ceiling from my bed. At the time I was only seventeen and yet still managed to kill him, be declared a war hero, become knighted, and earn a place at Hyrule Castle; though the feat was not without its negative aspects.

My eyes instinctively moved to my right shoulder as I remembered, still thankful it wasn't my left. The Evil King nearly cut off my arm and it still didn't move quite right, however it still functions perfectly as a shield arm. I moved my left hand to it and flinched. The spot was still tender, and this wasn't surprising to me. The doctor did say it wouldn't heal anywhere near quickly, and the scar would be there my entire life. Heh, some hero, eh? I can barley lift my arm over my head. I chuckled at the thought. I instinctively tried to do so and surprisingly almost have my hand move eight inches over my head before I had to retract it back due to pain. Further then last time. That's good, right? I sighed. Who am I kidding; how am I supposed to protect Hyrule like this? How am I supposed to protect her like this?

I got up from my bed, seeing as I could not seem to stay still inside it; I saw no point in staying there. I strode over to the wall where a cloak hung and threw it pointlessly over my shoulders, then tossed on my deerskin boots. I walked out to the small terrace outside my room, staring at the moonless sky and feeling the winter air. It was darker than usual, however I had no complaints. New Moons usually make for perfect stargazing. It seemed that all the lights in the heavens shone brighter with each passing moment. As I began to lose myself in their splendor, I looked over to the side to find a more glorious beauty.

Ah, it's her. The woman whom had held my heart since the moment I set mine eyes upon her. Her hair was that of a shining liquid bronze, flowing down her back over a white nightdress that flowed around her like a gentle cloud, and glowed in the starlight. Fate were taunting me, I knew it. Of all girls I could be smitten with, I had to pick a crown princess; the leader of Hyrule, soon to be queen once she picked a husband. But, who could blame me? She was gorgeous; she was intelligent, wise beyond her years. She had a certain sarcastic and sometimes sadistic sense of humor. However, what I loved the most was care she had for her people, all the people. The Hylians, the Gorons, the Zoras, no one was unnoticed.

"You'll catch a cold if you stay out here staring at me like that," I heard her say, pulling me back to reality. I looked away from her balcony to my much smaller one. I was sure my face turned red beyond reason and I turned my back to her. I heard a soft giggle like the jingling of bells from behind me.

"Princess, might I ask what is so hilarious," I asked, a little frustrated.

"You," she replied simply as I turned around to find her looking at me from her balcony, leaning on the rail and a hand on her face, truly amused. However I saw something else in her eyes, hidden beneath. It was fear, a desperate terror that ran through her, and I had an inclination as to what it was. I surprised her by leaping over to her terrace; as it was next to mine. I grinned at her reddening face and stood close to her.

"I'm glad I make you laugh," I said, smiling and walking closer to her, pointing to the starlit, azure orbs in front of me, "but I can tell there is fear in your eyes." Her smile faded and she looked down from me. A strand of her hair fell in her face and I wanted so desperately to brush it away, however it would be most inappropriate for me to make any physical contact with her whilst the guards could see me. I understood what it was that ailed her, it did so every night.

"It was another nightmare, wasn't it," I stated, a stern look beginning on my face. Zelda nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed upon the ground and her hands shaking lightly.

"I saw a great wave," she started. Her voice shook and was barely above a whisper. "It came from all around. All sides of this great country were surrounded by a great wall of water. Dark shadows blocked the sunlight. I could hear the screams of the people, but was able to do nothing. They still echo in my head… The dark waves began to fall upon the country, and all was obliterated under a great sea… and all went into silence." She was shivering. I couldn't tell if it was from the cold or her terrible reverie, but it was my job to protect her. I took the shroud from around me and placed it on her shoulders, my hands lingering longer then they should have. I backed away reluctantly, as she embraced the cloak around herself, taking in its warmth. "Do you… think it was more than a dream?" I stood beside her as she leaned over the railing and stared out onto her great country. I breathed out softly, my breath a white puff in the air, clouding my vision for a moment.

"Honestly," I replied, "Yes." She looked at me, fearful. That wasn't what she wanted to hear, but we both knew it to be the truth. "Prophetic dreams are not uncommon for you. You've told me so before, have you not?" She nodded, now covering her nose in the warm cloth wrapped around her, her eyes filled with sadness. "However," I continued, smiling, "I do not believe it would be in our lifetime."

She shook her head and sighed, "That doesn't change that this fate will befall my country, whether in my era or my descendant's." I looked at her fervently, indulging myself a little and cupping her chin so she would look at me.

"Fate can be changed. Nothing is written in stone, and we shall do as we've always done," I stated encouragingly. Suddenly not caring if the guards saw me, I placed a tuft of her auburn hair behind her ear, revealing more of her fair countenance. Her eyes still fumed with concern, wide and incredulous.

"And what would that be?" I smiled and simply replied.

"The impossible." She smiled back at me for a moment, abandoning the warmth inside the cloak and placing a hand lightly on my face. Little did we notice that our faces were moving closer to each other. I was the first to notice, I think; because, much to my disappointment, I said something.

"Princess, there is a citadel right over there," I nodded towards the north gate with the guard staring right at us. I knew I could see him smirking. I looked upon the Princess, her face mere inches from mine. She grimaced, froze in her place and groaned.

"I'm watched like a hawk, honestly," she murmured as she turned to look at our spy. She stared at him incredulously. "Is he… is he laughing at us?" The citadel saluted at us, his shoulders heaving as if he were trying to hide a chuckle.

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?" The guard yelled from his post, "It looked like you two were snogging from where I was standing," The princess gasped, appalled.

"We were NOT," she shouted back. I thought I heard her say something under her breath along the lines of 'unfortunately,' however, I must have misheard her.

"Ah, don't worry about me; I'm not one for rumors. Carry on with your… affairs… just be safe kids," he cackled as he waved us on, turning around. I shook my head furiously. How dare he think I would do such a dishonorable thing? I was about to give him a thrashing (or my sword was… right through his head), but the princess stopped me, placing her small hand on my arm.

"Don't worry about that guard," she said as she saw me go for the sword strapped at my waist. My face was red. I wasn't sure if it was from the anger flowing through my veins, or from her highness' touch, but I tensed up either way. "He has worked as a citadel for years. He's appalling, but he will keep his word." I remained intense, and my hand didn't move itself from the hilt of my blade.

"The fact that he even thought I would do such a thing to you, princess, is enough to have my blade through his gut," I growled. She sighed and moved my hand from my sword herself.

"Be at ease, Sir, he only jests." My heart began to thump harder at the feeling of her hand upon my own, relaxing my sense of anger. "And besides, I can't have you killing all the guards. They prove useful every once in a while," she chuckled. It took me a moment to realize that her hand was like ice. We had indeed been in the winter cold too long.

"Princess, you should get back to sleep," I said, feeling her freezing fingers with my own, trying to warm them up. "The night is getting colder, and you have a diplomatic visit to the Zora's domain in the morning." She smiled at me, her eyes drooping a little.

"But I'm not tired," she yawned, leaning into my arm sleepily. I chuckled a little and shook my head at the girl.

"You are, you're asleep already," I replied as her eyes closed and she relaxed almost completely into my chest. I caught her and carried her back to her bed chamber, placing her under the covers gently. I stared at her face for a moment. A sleeping angel; that is what she was. The warm light from the hearth danced upon her features brilliantly. I pulled my eyes from her face, leaving to go to my own bed; however, a small hand grabbed mine, followed by a sweet, quiet voice.

"Don't leave," she stated, gripping my arm lightly. I knelt next to her bed as to look her in the eyes, those beautiful azure gems that were the treasure of her countenance. How lucky I was to be able to look upon those eyes, however in those eyes I saw the fear return. "I… I'm afraid to go to sleep." I smiled at her gently.

"I shall stay until you fall asleep."

"You promise?" My smile grew at her innocent reaction, taking her hand in mine and pressing my lips to it for a very short moment.

"I promise upon the lights in the sky we call stars that I will not leave your side until sweet dreams fill your thoughts this night." She looked at me and I thought I saw her blush a little under her sweet smile.

"Well then… I'm not sure if I shall want to fall asleep." My grin grew as I chuckled softly and leaned into her ear.

"Sleep," I whispered, barely audible. Her breath evened out softly into a very quiet snore. I looked to find her eyes closed, her eyes moving a little under her eyelids. She was dreaming now, and from the smile on her face, I could tell it was pleasant. Feeling a little courageous, I leaned my lips onto her cheek gently and whispered quietly into her face. "Goodnight, Zelda."

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(A/N this is now in 3rd person for the time being.)

A mixture of snow and rain showered from the heavens, making for an ice cold night that seemed to freeze the very ground. The night was dark under the new moon, and the deep ebony clouds above did not make the night any brighter. The only light, it seemed, came from the fire inside a shallow cavern to the north. Despite the warmth and light it gave, the only thing this fire fueled was a malicious plan.

Inside, trying to shelter from the cold was a group of goblins; all of mixed races. The group was small, a band no more than ten. So few survived now, all due to that… hero… A Bokoblin grimaced and growled at the thought of the young man in his head. The goblin's head were fiddled with plans… evil, malicious, devastating plans; plans that would demolish the country he had grown so very much to hate. The goblin's lanky fingers stroked the rim of small container gently. Soon, he thought.

"Whas' dat, Shriver?" The large moblin beside him asked, reaching for the small flask, only to find his hand smacked away violently with the hilt of a gruff knife.

"Keep yer hands to yerself if ya wanna keep yer fingers," the bokoblin threatened, "This flask be special, Crul." The evil chuckle the bokoblin gave made Crul snivel with fear.

"B-but it just a bot'le," he whimpered staring at the flask as if it were about to pounce at him. Shriver just rolled his eyes at the Moblin.

"Do you know what this flask will be holden'?" Crul shook his head slowly, still afraid of the little glass container. "He he he, the blood of the one who killed Master. It be old magic ye see. The hero's blood is the key to bringing him back. Blood of the Hero spread upon the ground where Master's blood was spilled along with tears of the goddesses will sink into the ground, and the dead King will rise once more." The Moblin's eyes grew wide with awe, his pig-like face in a look of wonder… and then confusion.

"How we get blood of hero and tears of goddess?" Shriver sighed.

"Ye see, what seems the hardest is actually quite easy. There is a small waterfall in the Zora's river called the Goddesses' Tears. It be a riddle ye see. But the hero's blood, that be the hard part." Shriver stood upon the rock he was sitting on, addressing the quite small crowd.

"Listen, ye maggots!" Shriver started in his gruff tone, "The time for my brilliant plan to come in to action is now!"

"Now wait just a minute," a bulblin yelled, "Who decided we were goin' with yer plan?"

"Shut yer trap, Narkque, I'm gonna need that bow o' yers. Besides, do ya have a better plan to revive the Master?" The bokoblin asked. Narkque just crossed his arms and cursed under his breath. "Anyways, the plan be ambush. We're gonna need surprise on our side for this thing ter work. If the boy spots us we're done for. He's an excellent marksman as well as swordsman, so be shifty."

"I'm not afraid of no scrawny elf boy!" A moblin yelled from the corner. Shriver chuckled and shook his head.

"Then ye be a fool. Despite his size, he be strong. I swear, once I saw him throw a giant goron like he weighed no more than a wee feather. The boy could do the same to ye right off a cliff." The moblin shifted his gaze down to the ground. "Listen up, ye maggots, he's gonna be escorting the princess to the Zora's domain tomorrow. That will be our best shot t' catch him unawares."

"What about princess?" Crul asked stupidly. Shriver waved his hand dismissively for a moment, but then an evil smile played on the goblin's face.

"Crul, ye be a genius."

"But everyone call me stupid." Shriver face-palmed.

"Don't ye see, ye big bumble? The boy will do anything t' save the princess, he he he…." Shriver thought for a moment. "Boys, I've got me a new plan…"

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