AUTHOR'S NOTES- I am doing this on my tablet and I am taking the 'write as you go' approach. Also, PLEASE PLEASE please tell me if you guys and galls notice any errors that I didn't after my third proofread. And lastly, before we start, I would like to give a BIG shout out to PenguinForce for helping me with the title and other things, even if he doesn't think he did. ;)

Story is rated T for TEEN because I don't know some of you handle mild violence, but I'll try to keep it pretty clean.

Chapter One: An Old Acquaintance and Beautiful Sounds

Link could not see in this non-existent light, but his keen senses told him that he was in a cave. It was cold and he heard the faintest sound of water trickling from the rough stone walls. The back of his neck prickled, the feeling of being watched. He felt a gust of warmth on his neck, heard a hiss. Link recoiled from the sensation.

"Boy," the voice hissed. Link knew that voice. He hated it. "Boy," the voice repeated. Link turned around to confront this Demon Lord, but Ghirahim was not there.

"Dear boy, whatever could you ever do to me? You never did anything, really. You just stalled the Fates from doing their magic. But if I finish you off now..." he trailed off. Link heard him snap his fingers, and a red aura of evil light enveloped Ghirahim. He snapped again, and Link felt a weight lift from his back. "Fight me," Ghirahim continued. "Not that you'll stand a chance, though." He smirked and willed his sword to appear, causing Link to reach for his own.

Link's hand grasped the hilt of his sword, but that was all there was. His gasped in shock as he pulled an almost weightless stump of wood from the case on his back. He had more reason for astonishment when he realized that his shield, a gift from the Thunder Dragon, had been replaced by a wooden shield with a large hole in the center. "You can't kill me!" Link said as he shoved the useless items to the ground. "I know more than just how to swing a sword," he insisted, but he was really just trying to convince himself that he could stand a chance against this hated enemy.

"Oh? Well, 'swinging a sword' is, I am terribly sorry to break this to you, the only way you ever amounted to anything. But let's get on with this. I would hate ever so much for you to escape this time." Ghirahim raised his sword like a javelin, bounded forward, and struck Link directly in the shoulder. Just then, as the pain was beginning to hit, Link heard a beautiful sound. The most beautiful in all the worlds combined.

Link awoke in his bed, shuddering and in a pool of cold sweat. Zelda was there, standing over him and holding his face in her hands, singing softly. It was a song he had never heard her sing before, about facing the dusk and how there will always be a splash of white in a sea of black. Her eyes were closed and she seemed very distressed. He reached up to touch her arm.

"Zelda," he said softly, rubbing her arm with his thumb.

Her eyes flew open and her hands flew to where his were in a fraction of a second. "Link!" Her voice sounded happy that he was awake, sorry for his dream, and worried that he might not be okay all at the same time. "Are you alright? Do you want some cocoa? Should I get you a dry shirt? What about your mattress? It has to be soaked too. And what about-" Link cut her off by hoisting himself up on his elbows.

"You can go do whatever you think will make sure I'm cared for properly, Zelda," he said, fondly and not unkindly. "Honestly, it was just a nightmare. I have them all the time. I'm fine."

Zelda took her turn and interrupted him this time. "But that's exactly why I should get you some cocoa and a clean shirt and- The point is, Link, you're not fine and it's been more than a year already and you have those awful nightmares of yours five times a week! All because of- of me! If only I hadn't decided to-" Zelda was very flustered. She smoothed her hair back to trap some loose strands before continuing. "Link, look. I know you feel that you need to be all courageous and stuff, but you're human and I am too. A mind can't take all of this constant torment. You've only told me about one and it sounded just plain awful!"

It was true. Link had only told her about his mildest one so far, and it was nothing like the one he had had this night, or any other night, really. He shuddered.

"You don't want to know about my dreams," he whispered and touched his shoulder, the same spot where -. He didn't want to think about it.

"Link," Zelda said just as softly, overlaying his hand with hers. "I do want hear about them, when you're ready. It might make them happen less often." She squeezed his hand then rose to leave. "I'll go get that cocoa. And no buts! You need something warm to drink right now," she called from the door, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Link laid his head back on his pillow and tried to relax, but he couldn't.

A/N- Yeah, I know. Super original way to start a story, right? Link has nightmares? *gasp* The next chapter might be way shorter and maybe more dull, but the other chapters will be interesting and hopefully more original with fewer author's notes and actual pieces of the plot will come together. Also, tell me how I did for a first fan-fic, any mistakes you noticed and do your regular review shenanigans blah blah blah blah. Helpful and constructive criticism is appreciated very much! :)