Zelda looked over at Link and smiled for a second. "What was that sound Link? Was that the sword?"

Link nodded and said, "That book told me each of the various steps needed to be taken and I think I'll share them with you as all but a few involve you in some way. Doing this is going to be one of the most challenging things ever but by the sounds of things it will be more than worth it."

Zelda smiled and listened to Link as she told her about what the book had said. She was a bit surprised by some of the things in there, not the least of which had been the last step. She knew she could change that law so that it would be possible to finish things but she wasn't sure in the least of the rest of them. Zelda had though she could get away with the interaction between herself and Link to be nothing more than purely professional but that book made it very clear she no longer had that luxury. She knew that she would have to give it time and prayed that her feelings would come around for Link.

"You realize those feelings must be honest and genuine Princess, and not for the sake of keeping Link alive. Feelings like that are hollow and have much less meaning however well intentioned they are." Said a quiet voice Zelda was sure only she could hear.

Link smiled at Zelda and said, "Well the blade said my time resets every time I complete a step. Meaning I have one and a half years for every step from the completion of the previous one. Step two is going to be interesting but I have some time to kill. Besides, it would be better to get to know the one I'm guarding and use that information to get you something you will treasure forever."

"You're a rather verbose girl but it's cute." Zelda said as she returned Link's smile with a soft one of her own. "Let's go for a walk then. Our royal gardens are lovely this time of year. Besides, we can discuss what we're going to do about some of those steps. Planning in advance might not be a bad idea."

Zelda paused for a long moment before saying, "You wouldn't happen to have the Ocarina of Time would you? That heirloom should have been passed down through the ages by our families and it was last in the possession of you family. I have a feeling we may be able to make use of its magic."

Link smiled and dug around in her bag for a moment before pulling out the purple ocarina. She played a couple of note to make sure it still functioned and then played Zelda's Lullaby without hesitation. She smiled and said, "I do have it as well as the knowledge of how to play most of the song the Hero of Time knew. Mother made sure I learned them when she gave me this."

Zelda was staring at Link as she said, "I have not heard that tune since I was a young girl. Did you ever by chance play that song often when you were younger?"

Link nodded and said, "The day I learned it and its name I played it every time I visited Hyrule Town. I was hoping you would hear it and come looking for the source of the sound. I'm glad to learn you heard it."

Zelda just about knocked Link over as she gave her a hug and held her close. Link blushed intensely but returned the hug. It was one of the few times the girl had been rendered speechless by something. Zelda gave Link's neck a gentle nuzzle and pulled back for moment. Link could see that Zelda was blushing as well. "Link I...can't say what I want to right now. I just...wanted to tell you..."

Link pulled Zelda back into a tight hug and said, "It's okay. Once I get the gift and staying with you for a month out of the way you can say anything. I just need to figure out what to get you for a gift."

Zelda smiled and said, 'The only gift I could ever want from you is a...this is going to sound so improper but I would love a kiss. I'd treasure that memory forever."

Link was surprised by Zelda. She had never simply had a girl just up and fall into her lap like this before. It just seemed way too easy, too simple. Maybe that was how it was supposed to be. Maybe the task was supposed to be impossible only to those who had been dishonest in some way. Maybe there was more than magic at play here. Link smiled and quietly said, "I can do that. I can give you the gift of a kiss."

She looked into Zelda's eyes and saw something in them she would never forget. It was the spark of pure love being reflected back to her. She leaned in and gave Zelda a gentle kiss. She was surprised when she felt Zelda returning the kiss and putting quite a bit of passion into it. Link knew her face must be bright red. She had found it impossible to not blush around Zelda.

The kiss slowly broke and Zelda was smiling. 'I'll treasure that for the rest of my life Link. No matter how much time passes I don't think I will ever forget my first kiss with you." She leaned in a bit closer and whispered, "You're a good kisser by the way. Soft and sweet."

Link though her face was going to have a permanent blush on it by the end of the day. "Thus is the second step completed. An odd gift to be sure but one that is treasured none the less. And so time resets." The sword said quietly into both their minds.

Link offered a hand to Zelda which she took as they walked through the gardens. Link finally found her voice and said, "So, about the third step. Where do you wish to live for a month? I can't fight at all during that time too. I'm sure with you I will be able to cope with it."

Zelda thought about it for a moment before saying, "Why don't we go to Kakariko village? Surely you would be comfortable there and I could use a change of scenery."

Link smiled and agreed to it. She had no idea just how long that one month was going to be.

Inside the castle two advisors were talking.

"Yes I heard that Princess Zelda had given the sword to some woman. Link was her name."

"But did you also hear that the person that Link chose to guard was Zelda herself?"

The Grand Advisor straightened in his seat. "No I had not. Continue on Junior Advisor."

"Well it seems the two are getting rather friendly with one another. Rumor has it that there is more to that friendship than we see. I wish it stopped."

"You realize what would happen to the heroine of Hyrule if you stop her quest? I will have nothing to do with your scheming You will never gain my position through such behavior."

"But sir, surely you of all people must think it unwholesome for two women to be together like that!"

"Speak further and I will throw you out of this castle. We do not talk ill of the Princess even if we do disagree with how she conducts herself."

"Then I shall remove you."

"What madness is this? Guards!"

"They are...occupied. Sir." There was deep contempt in the Junior Advisors voice as he drew a dagger.

As he stabbed the Grand Advisor in the chest he whispered, "Hyrule does not need a Princess like that. They will forever remember the name of the one who saved them from having to live under such rule. They shall remember Darou."

Darou hid the body and claimed the Grand Advisor gone on sick leave and that he had been given the position temporarily. His first act was to appoint guards to follow Link and Zelda discreetly. He wanted those two gone. He wanted that second to only one thing. He wanted Hyrule and nothing was going to stand between him and that goal. His red eyes burned brightly as he sat at his desk in the castle. His plans were in motion and he was already planning to eliminate his only major worry.

Link and Zelda continued their walk through the garden talking about what life was like for each of them growing up. Link talked about training everyday to use her sword and exploring dungeons and old temples and Zelda talked about what it had been like being raised as a princess. If anyone had been walking by, the way they were talking about things it would have seemed they had know each other for years.

Link was glad to learn what she could from Zelda. It was a chance to get to know someone that she was going to spend not only the next month together with but the rest of her life. As they walked she felt a cold chill creep down her spine and quiet voice say, "You are being watched and Zelda is in danger the longer you stay here. My advice is to leave today and before nightfall."

'So that's how you warn me' Link thought to herself. She gave Zelda's hand a gentle squeeze and said, "We should get going to Kakariko today. It's not that long of a journey but I would like to get there before nightfall."

Zelda gave Link an odd look but soon smiled and said, "Someone is a bit eager to spend a month with me. Alright, we can head out now if you'd like. I'll just need to grab a few things."

Link smiled and said, "Alright. You don't need to tell anyone do you? I'd hate to have someone here worrying about...us."

Zelda understood the exact way Link had meant the word 'us' as well as the exact meaning of what Link was really saying. She straightened a little and said, "No one would dare lift a hand against the Princess of Hyrule and its Heroine. To do so is death. It's been Hylian law for generations and no one is that stupid. Even if we had this generation's Ganondorf I doubt he would do anything."

Link didn't feel so sure about that. She had had to fight her way out of at least one bar before. She wondered if that law had meant with intent to kill. Bodily harm was something she had suffered at the hands of at least two very rough Hylians who had thrown her bodily through a wooden wall. Maybe the laws were more lax when it came to the hero, or heroine in this case, of Hyrule expecting the person to be able to defend themselves adeptly. She shrugged off the thought and trusted in Zelda's judgement. Only a fool would dare attack the Princess but it still left one question unanswered. "Zelda, what about the kind of relationship we have? It unprecedented in all of Hylian history. Sure the Royal family and the Hero of Time's descendants have married before but never have two women of any heritage been wed under Hylian law. Surely there must be people who would object to it."

Zelda stopped for a minute and said, "Do you disagree with it Link?"

"The law or being with you?"

"Both."

"The law yes. Being with you I could never find anything wrong with that in my entire life. My heart has always been wired to fall in love with girls and especially the one standing in front of me." Link said honestly.

Zelda took a hold of Link's hand and said, "I can re-write the law for us. I am a princess after all. But yes there are those who would find what we have here wrong. Even if we could honestly tell them it was simply the magic of the sword they would still not accept it. We will simply have to watch out for those people."

"They're the ones dumb enough to attack us aren't they Zelda?"

Zelda nodded and the two of them moved through the castle to where Zelda was going. It was her bedroom which was nicely furnished. Link marveled at the fabrics of the curtains and the bed feeling embarrassed that what she was going to be able to provide for them in Kakariko would be nothing compared to this grandeur. Zelda grabbed a few trinkets and packed some clothes that looked quite a bit more plain than the ones she was wearing. Link smoothed out her own dark green tunic, unconsciously embarrassed by how she looked. Zelda noticed Link and quietly said, "You look fine Link. In fact you look rather beautiful. I prefer simple clothes to be honest. This dress is nowhere near as comfortable as it might look."

Link relaxed noticeably and took a hold of Zelda's stuff and carried it out of the castle for her. She put the bags on the horse a steward had brought them and smiled at Zelda. "Well we're off for Kakariko then. Think you can put up with me for a month?"

Zelda poked Link in the ribs and said, "I think I can handle you. You're a sweet and gentle girl."

"But I can be a real pain sometimes. I even swear at people. I could be sour and rough in reality" Link said playfully with a smile on her face.

Zelda poked her again and said, "You silly girl. I'll be fine with you. After all I..."

Link quickly silenced Zelda with a quick kiss and said, "For the love of the Triforce don't say those words before our month is up. Skipping a step will kill me."

Zelda blushed and said, "I was only going to say that I don't mind a rough and tumble girl like yourself."

Link smiled knowing what she had really been going to say. "You best be careful with that young lady." The Guardian Sword said in her mind. "That's a very fine line you just walked. Take care it doesn't happen again."

Link mentally agreed with her sword and walked alongside Zelda. One hand was on the horse's reins and the other was being held by Zelda. Link had a feeling this coming month would be both wonderful and tougher than she could ever imagine.

[Author's note: Well this story is going along nicely. I hope those of you who read it are enjoying it as much as I enjoy writing it. The month with Zelda is going to test Link in ways she won't expect and she's going to have a challenge ahead of her. Read, review and enjoy.]

Mirabelle Lily