A/N:

1/2/09 EDITED!!! Being unhappy with it, I re-wrote some parts. Just thought you ought to know.

Okay, so this isn't my first fan-fiction, but I have never written a LoZ one before… It's actually a bit odd for me…but whatever.

I have the first few chapters already to go, but I will release them maybe a couple days apart.

Reviews are welcome

Enjoy!

~.life

CHAPTER ONE

You would think that after traveling all over Hyrule fighting the Goddesses-know-what kind of monsters and the long gone evil known as Ganondorf, I would be able to ask a simple question to someone I've known my whole life. But, apparently, this wasn't a simple question.

I cleared my throat for the millionth time and took a deep breath.

"You want to marry my daughter," Mayor Bo said calmly.

My exhale came out as a strangled cough. After regaining my composure, I asked the obvious, "How did you know I was going to ask you that?"

Mayor Bo gave me an amused look; his odd tusks lifting with the corners of his mouth. "Link, we have been sitting at this table for a good twenty minutes now, and all you have been able to do is clear your throat and sigh. I realized that that would be the only question you would ever stumble over."

I felt a blush creep up my neck as I cringed awkwardly. "So, will you give me permission for Ilia's hand in marriage?"

Mayor Bo's face formed a contemplative look as he thought about it. In the mean time, my stomach decided to turn into a world-class acrobat.

I had been planning to ask Ilia to marry me for a while now, but I couldn't do it until I asked for Mayor Bo's permission first. That is the main reason why it's taken me so long. I knew that it would be a slim chance that the mayor would actually turn the idea down, but I didn't want to be so selfish.

Finally, Mayor Bo's face changed into a smile. "Yes, you may marry my daughter."

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding and smiled. "Thank you, sir."

Mayor Bo reached over and brought his hand down on my shoulder. "No, son, thank you. Ilia can finally move out!" he laughed. "So, where's the marriage band?"

I cringed again. In Ordon, it was customary for the man to present a marriage band—a bracelet—to the woman he wants to marry. I had absolutely no idea where to get one.

"Well… the thing is… I don't have one…yet…" I heard my voice grow smaller and smaller as I finished the sentence.

Mayor Bo gave a peculiar look then spoke, "You know, Link? How about you give Ilia the band I gave her mother?"

I gaped at the man. Giving Ilia the same band her mother married with would be more than perfect. I could picture the look on Ilia's face as I held out the band. She would be ecstatic.

"You would give me Ilia's mother's band?"

Mayor Bo just smiled. "I think it's the right thing to do."

I let out a burst of laughter, stumbling over my words as I spoke. "That's great! I mean, thank you! I would be honored!"

The Mayor laughed along and spoke again, "There's one thing though, Link."

My excitement dimmed a little as I looked at him curiously. "What's that?"

"The band isn't here."

My face fell as I tried to process that. "What?"

"The band's not here."

I waited a moment for an explanation, but didn't get it. "Well, where is it, sir?"

"Hyrule castle."

Another pause. "Why?"

"A long time ago, Ilia's mother and I visited the castle and she fell in love with the gardens right away. When we came back, that's all she could talk about…" Bo looked up smiling. "She would go on and on about the flowers and the trees…"

I smiled sadly and let Mayor Bo reminisce the days with his late wife. I began thinking about my imminent journey to Hyrule Castle.

Back to Hyrule Castle.

I never thought I would be going back. After the fall of Gannondorf, I only stayed a short while with Zelda to help out with repairs on the Castle, and then we traveled to the desert to—

I stopped that thought immediately. Luckily, Mayor Bo chose this time to start talking again.

"I've buried the band in a wooden box in front of the statue on the left side of the castle. You know the spiral statues that are there?"

Thinking back, I remembered the odd statues: each holding one replica of the three pieces of the Triforce. I nodded to Bo.

"Good. Okay, so I'll leave you to your packing and preparing for tonight and I'll see you off bright and early tomorrow morning. That okay?" Bo stood up and I followed suit. He put his arm over my shoulders and led me to the door.

"Sounds great, Mayor," I said with a smile.

"Oh, go ahead and call me Bo now. It's alright." Bo winked.

"Sounds great, Bo." I smiled a little bigger as I tried out his name. "See you tomorrow."

With that, I left Bo's house to start packing at my own.