Disclaimer: This applies to the entire story. I do not own Zelda. I only own my original character.

Prologue: The Past

I knew I had no chance. From the moment I saw them, I knew I had no chance. Link and Princess Zelda were made for each other. There was no way an ordinary servant like me would be able to gain Link's love. And yet, as I sit here by my windowsill, watching the two in the garden, I feel a pang of jealousy growing stronger. But I could never hate him or her. Zelda is my best friend, even if I am her maid. And Link is as friendly with me as with anyone else. If only he knew.

It was a long time ago, perhaps seven years, that Princess Zelda and Link first met. From that day forward, they liked each other. They knew it, I knew it. Now, for seven years, they have loved each other. And their love has only grown stronger. I fell in love with Link not knowing their bond. When I became aware of it, I knew there was nothing I could do.

"Rosemarie, the princess would like to see you now," a maid said. I jerked to attention. "She is waiting in the throne room." I was puzzled at first. I wondered what was going to happen. I quickly brushed my dress and hurried off. But before I left, I checked out in the garden. Link was jumping around as if he had won a race. All of a sudden, my heart jumped. I had a feeling I knew what had happened.

I raced down the stairs all the way to the throne room. Princess Zelda looked as if she had won something. She looked just like Link had been. This was not good.

"Rosemarie!" she cried, falling into my arms. She was sobbing with happiness. I definitely knew what happened. Princess Zelda showed me her left hand. On it...was a ring. I was groping for words. My guess was right.

"He proposed!" Zelda gasped. "Can you believe it?"

"No, I can't!" I whispered. I was fighting back tears. My dream was gone. It was foolish to think I could ever be with Link. I should be ashamed of myself. Instead, tears flowed inside me and out.

"Are you okay?" Zelda asked.

"I'm fine, Milady," I lied, forcing back tears. "I'm just so...happy for you." Zelda was smiling.

"I have to go tell my father," she said as she rushed off. I ran up to my room and locked the door. Only then did I let my tears fall freely.

"I feel so sorry for you," Impa said. She stroked my hair. I felt like a puppy. A puppy being comforted by her mistress. "Poor dear." I had just told her my whole story, something I had previously only dared to tell my mirror. I remembered that Link thought my habit of talking to inanimate objects was peculiar. That only brought more tears. Impa was always there to listen for anything.

"I feel so...hopeless," I sobbed.

"You must tell Zelda-,"

"No!" I brushed away a few tears. "I won't ruin her life and Link's. It was my fault. I was foolish. I shouldn't have expected it to work out." Impa sympathetically patted my hand.

"Zelda has to know, Rosemarie. You have to tell her. Or Link-,"

"That's worse!" I couldn't control it. I ran out of the room. I stopped behind the kitchen doors and waited. I heard Zelda come in.

"Impa! Impa! Can you believe what-,"

"I know, Zelda. But there's something I have to tell you. Sit down...this might be a bit of a shock to you." I knew she was telling. But I didn't care. I ran all the way up to my room and locked the door like I had done a few hours ago and sobbed. Life didn't seem like living anymore. Finally, I got what I was expecting. A knock sounded at the door.

"Rosemarie?" It was Zelda. I didn't open the door. I couldn't face her anymore. I just couldn't. I felt a charge of something on the lock. I had forgotten about her magic! I knew it, there was no escape. I couldn't run forever. I stood up and brushed my skirts. I tried to wipe away my tears as best as I could. The door opened.

"Rosemarie?" I looked down at my feet. "You...I didn't know...why." I could tell she was lost for words. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to ruin your life for my sake." That was the truth, even if I didn't want to believe it. Princess Zelda opened her mouth and tried to say something, and shut her mouth instead. And as if things couldn't get worse, Link came into the room.

"Impa told me you were here, so I came."

"Did she tell you?"

"About what?"

"Anything?"

"Besides your location, no."

"Well, I want to tell you something." Zelda trailed off and looked in my direction. I shook my head.

"Please don't. I don't want my life to get any worse." I left the room. Behind me, I could hear Zelda telling Link. No! She's telling him! More tears came. My life was ruined. I could never face them again. And I couldn't face anybody. Never! I raced down to the kitchen. Impa was there as I had seen her ten minutes before.

"Rosemarie," she started, but I cut her off.

"You told Zelda, now Zelda's telling Link. I'm ruined!" I sat down at the table. My whole life had been ruined in three hours. I heard footsteps outside the door. I quickly hid in the pantry, peeking out from the slit in the door. Link and Zelda came in.

"Where's Rosemarie?" Link asked. I saw Impa shrug.

"I didn't see her." I breathed a sigh of relief.

"She isn't hiding, is she?" Zelda asked.

"I don't know. What happened?" Zelda bit her lip and Link sighed.

"A long story. Well, anyway, we must go find her. It's very important that I talk to her." The two rushed off. I stepped out of the pantry.

"I have to go," I told Impa. She sighed. I hurried up to my room. I packed all my stuff and headed down to the stables. I tried to find my horse, Nayru. She was next to Epona, Link's horse. I hitched my bundle. Nayru looked at me with curiosity; we had almost never gone anywhere before. I patted Epona and took Nayru from the stables. I looked back at the castle. One last look, and it would be...

A scream erupted from the castle. It was probably from the throne room. The horses reared and whinnied. I forgot all about my problems and raced toward the castle. When I got to the throne room, I gasped.

A man that was as tall as the ceiling stood there. He was cloaked in black and green. I had never seen him before, but he looked ugly and evil. Furthermore, he had Zelda in his clutches! Link was staring up at her, as was everyone else.

"Now listen to me!" the man bellowed. "I will let Zelda live as long as you give up your life, Link, and the Triforce."

"Never!" Zelda hissed, trying to pry herself from the man's grasp. The man only squeezed harder.

"Don't!" Link demanded. "You may take my life, but don't harm her!"

"No, Link!" Zelda cried.

"If it is your life you are willing to trade, than so be it!" The man held out his palm and a black globe began to grow from it.

"Link! Don't do it!" Link did not listen. He took his sword from his sheath and laid it on the floor. The black globe grew bigger. I knew what I had to do. Running as fast as I could, I pushed Link out of the way. And the globe of magic...hit me.

It was pain beyond imagination. The world spun around and flashed out of control. Every muscle in my body ached as if it never had before. Pain shot up my arms and legs. It felt like I was being torn in half. Finally, it was over. I collapsed on the floor. I saw Link take his opportunity and plunge the sword into the man. He vanished into smoke, dropping Zelda. Everyone crowded around me. I realized I was lying down. The castle began to spin around and slowly fade. This was the end, I knew it. I knew it as much as I had known Link and Zelda's love. Zelda crouched beside me; I could faintly hear her crying. Link took my arm. For once, I was a little happy. Tears streaked my face. Then slowly, the world grew dark...