Link breathed heavily. He'd barely gotten up the first hill. He bent over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.

I should've probably planned for this...

He strolled on after a short rest, careful to keep a slower pace this time. He went up the hill, and suddenly, he could see almost the entire field, drenched by the sun, and a light breeze floating on the air, rushing over the grass in gusts.

He had almost forgotten the beauty of Hyrule Field. It took his breath away, and he stared. Link suddenly remembered his mission, and ran down the hill towards the drawbridge. He finally reached it, stopping on the stones to catch his breath. A guard was posted near the gate.

"And you are?" he asked.

"Link," came the reply, and Link showed him the letter from his pocket. The guard scanned it through, and then he had to read it again, just to be sure.

"Yes, yes, of course, go," he said.

"Thanks," said Link walking into the Hyrule Market. The people were hustling and bustling about as always. Link just ran past them, headed straight for Hyrule Castle. He stopped at the gate, breathing heavily again.

"May I help you?" asked the guard. Link, too worn out to reply, just showed him the letter. The guard simply opened the gate, and Link passed through. The elf ran up the path, and through the gate. He came to the courtyard of the castle. A guard posted spoke to him.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, I need to find Princess Zelda," said Link, holding up the letter.

"I see," replied the guard. "She's up in the high chamber, with her father." The guard pointed up to a room nearly three stories high.

Link sighed.

"Thanks," he said feebly, and went on his way. Soon he came to the staircases towards the chamber. He finally reached the top, and the guards blocked his way.

"We can't let you pass," said one. Link simply held up the letter, and the guards conceded. Link opened the door, and Zelda was there, with a black-robed man, apparently a doctor.

Zelda turned to see Link coming in the doorway.

"Oh, Link, I'm so glad you could come," she said. Link ran to the bed and knelt by it, Zelda's father was lying there.

"What's the matter with him?" Link asked the doctor.

"I don't honestly know. His time just might have come. I do hope that I can sort this out," replied the doctor, his face worried.

Link furrowed his brow. Somthing here was not right. Maybe it was some sickness that was impossible to determine. What should he do? He needed to save Zelda's father, she'd never recover from her father's death.

The doctor stood up. "I shall retire to my laboratory and try to find a disease, and of course, a cure, if there is one."

"Thank you, doctor," said Zelda, her face grave.

"No thanks needed, My Lady," replied the doctor. "I am simply doing my duty."

"No, it means a lot to me," said Zelda. She took the doctor by the hand. The medicinal man was taken aback for a moment, but then regained his composure, clearing his throat.

"As you wish," replied the doctor, bowing, and leaving the room.

"So," said Link. He paused. What to say at a time like this?

"So... ...What?" asked Zelda.

Link suddenly noticed he was ravenous.

That would be inappropriate...

"I'm so glad you can be here, Link, it does mean a lot," said Zelda after a silence.

"Well, I'm glad to be here," said Link. His stomach growled. He winced a bit, and then continued. "I only hope that the doctor can find a cure."

"Me too," said Zelda. She suddenly paused.

"What?" asked Link.

"This might sound inappropriate," said Zelda.

"No, no, that's fine," Link cut her off.

"Alright, would you... Would you like something to eat?" asked Zelda. "I'm kind of hungry." Link's face lit up with joy.

Yes!!

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I'm hungry myself," replied Link.

"All right then, come on," she said, taking him by the hand and leading him out of the chamber, down to the dining room. The table was set, seemingly large enough to feed an army that had been on minimal rations for a month.

"Hello?" came a voice. Link shook himself.

"In a trance there, Link?" said Zelda, laughing.

"Whoa, sorry," said Link quickly.

"No, it's quite all right," said Zelda.

"Well, ladies first," said Link. He pulled out a chair at the head of the table. Zelda walked over and sat down. Link walked to a chair near the head and sat down as well. Link was at a loss for words. Where to begin? What should he say?

"So.." he began feebly. "Any news? Other than, well, you know..."

"Well, I've been doing some new things," said Zelda.

"Like what?" asked Link.

"Well, like learning how to cook, and reading ancient tomes, and learning of old wars," replied Zelda.

"Well, that's a pretty broad scope," said Link.

"I suppose it is," mused Zelda. "But what have you been doing?"

"Training... in the mountains ," said Link.

"I should visit that place again, it's so beautiful," said Zelda, sprinkling her steak with salt. Link noticed Zelda seemed to be taking the conversation well, while he stumbled for words to say. This didn't help him. Link bit his lip, and then found his savior. He cut a piece of the steak in front of him, and tried it.

"This is excellent," he said after finishing. "Give my complements to the chef."

"Thank you, I shall," said Zelda.

"So, any new plays or other entertainment recently?" asked Link.

"Not really, they are quite mundane in my opinion. But I must say, I'm yearning to go and see new places," said Zelda.

"So that's your form of entertainment, is it?" mused link.

"Yes, well," she paused, "tell me about some places you've seen. You've been all over Hyrule, you know."

"I guess that's true," chuckled Link. "Well, what do you want to hear first? The river? Zora's Domain? Goron City?"

"Start with whatever one you wish," said Zelda, afterwards taking another bite.

Link finally had a topic! Now he could converse properly, and his confidence soared.

"All right, we'll start with the forest meadow," said Link, setting his knife and fork down, and assuming the air of a teacher, or possibly guide. "Well, it's very simple, actually. A lot of vegetation, but the stone walls look old and rustic as the vines sort of crawl over them."

"Sounds lovely! So what happens in the forest meadow?" inquired Zelda.

"Not much, really, just birds twittering, and insects chirping, and such. It's Saria's special place, you've of course met Saria," said Link.

"Yes," replied Zelda.

"Well, that's pretty much it, unless you'd like a more detailed description," said Link.

"No, that's quite alright, continue," said Zelda.

"Alright," agreed Link. He stood up, and continued. He used his hands in the air, gesticulating, as if he could paint a picture with his hands. "Next, we'll go to Goron City, near the top of Death Mountain. Actually, despite its menacing name and its rocky appearance and denizens, the view from the top of the Mountain is beautiful."

"Really? I might see it sometime," said Zelda.

"Yes, but the Gorons are a very tribal culture," said Link, sitting back down. "Their leader, Darunia, is a quite a large one. But the Gorons, despite their imposing appearance, are usually congenial, unless roused."

"I've of course met Darunia, and you describe him well," said Zelda. "He is your sworn brother apparently."

"Yes, he is," replied Link, fumbling for some words to say. "And I'm glad of it, he is a great Goron."

"One would hope, he is their leader," said Zelda.

"Yes, that's true. Rather unlike King Zora," said Link. "Pardon my expression, but he's kind of a pompous windbag."

Zelda laughed. "Yes, actually, what little I've known of him suggests that."

"But the other Zoras aren't like him at all. They're graceful, elegant, and have a quite a talent for music," said Link. "Specifically the guitar."

"Really? That's fascinating," said Zelda, sipping her wine.

"But the place they live in simply majestic, Zora's Domain," said Link, almost reflecting back at old times. "It's walls give off a clean, watery glimmer, and their main form of transportation is, of course, water."

"Wow, it sounds very beautiful," said Zelda.

"It is," replied Link. "But I believe I've done enough talking. What's new in the castle?"

"Oh, well, they've redone the garden, made it look prettier," said Zelda.

"That must be why it didn't look the same as it did," mused Link. He suddenly laughed. Zelda joined in.

"Well, yes, it must be," she said, still chuckling.

After a time of conversation and scrumptious food, Link and Zelda walked onto a balcony, gazing at the stars. The crickets were chirping below, and both Link and Zelda were silent. Zelda laid her head on Link's shoulder, and Link's arm went around her.

"Have you ever seen the mountains at sunset?" asked Zelda suddenly.

"No, I'm usually watching the sunset from the mountains," replied Link.

"Well, it's beautiful," said Zelda. "The mountains get washed in purple, and a red glaze blankets their peaks. It's truly a sight to behold."

"That sounds nice," said Link.

This was great, he reveled in the thought. He had just had one of the most wonderful nights in his life. He snapped back to reality with Zelda's voice.

"It is, I usually watch it."

"Shouldn't we check on your father?" asked Link.

"Oh, you're probably right," said Zelda. She stood erect, and turned. The two walked back inside. Soon they were back at the top of the chamber.

"Doctor, have you found out anything?" asked Zelda.

"I'm afraid I haven't," replied the doctor, sounding concerned. "His condition's getting worse, too."

"There has to be something..." said Link.

"I'm terribly sorry, my boy, but I can't find any disease or ailment that matches his conditions," said the doctor.

"How about I help you? We have to find something, we're running out of time!" said Link.

"Oh no, my boy, my laboratory is strictly off-limits," said the doctor, his tone now more defensive. "Not to be rude, but I must be very careful, an accident could occur."

Link sighed.

"I shall, however, continue to search," reassured the doctor.

"Oh thank you, let's pray that you find something," said Zelda.

After the man left, Link pondered some ideas. "I still don't see why he wouldn't let me help!" he vented.

"He gets like that, dont worry about it too much," came a voice from the hall.

A tall man stepped into the room carrying the Kings medicine,"Hes been sort of uppity ever since the King became ill." He extended his hand and Link took it, My name is Minamoto No Reikou, I am the King's attendant.

"My name is Link," he told the dark warrior,"pleased to meet you."

"The physician is normally very kind, but ever since the King became ill he has been under a great deal of pressure to find a cure." Reikou told them as he shut the door to the sleeping King's chambers.

"Oh, Link, he's just a doctor, some of them are like that. They need to be alone with their work, and they're very careful about their equipment," replied Zelda.

"I guess you're right," said Link. "I just hope he finds something."

Zelda yawned. "Excuse me, but I must retire to bed," she said.

"I should too," he said, yawning. With that, Link walked down to his chambers, and threw back his sheets. He yawned, undressed into his pajamas, and fell on the bed. But he didn't sleep that night, there was an air of subterfuge that permeated the castle and he wanted to find the source.