Here is chapter three. I hope everyone who is reading is enjoying the story. I'm having a blast writing though it may take some time for me to update but its fun nevertheless. Slight warning, Zelda's POV is at least a page longer than the norm so watch out for that.


Chapter Three:

Link's POV

I sat there, in my dark room, looking down at the floor twiddling my thumbs. Because of todays… 'event' there was no way I would be getting any sleep. I wasn't too sure I wanted to go to sleep for the rest of my life. I kept replaying the whole thing in my head over and over again. This nightmare was never going to end.

I could only imagine what other people would think if they were to just walk in unexpected. They would see me and think 'this is the young boy who saved our land when he was ten?' Given that they could even see through the darkness that had claimed the room.

I found it incredibly odd how I felt comfortable here, in this darkness. It would make sense that I would like to be around a little light but there wasn't a single candle lit in my room. The curtains had been drawn over the window so moonlight was little issue.

I shuddered again. That moon, that cursed moon. It was like it was always watching me, waiting for my next moment of weakness, waiting for the next moment that I would even dare to think back to that journey. So, as a precaution, I decided that I would simply stay on guard. I would try to close my mind as much as possible and focus on little things happening around me rather than big things that I have had experienced before.

Like the way my heart thumped, loudly and harshly in my ears. The odd way my thumbs simply slithered around each other as I moved them. Hearing soft gentle footsteps from the other side of my door.

A soft gentle knock brought me to my senses. Standing up quickly, causing me to feel dizzy for a second, I instantly took a defensive stance. "Who's there!?" I yelled, shoving as much venom into the question as possible.

I instantly regretted my decision however as a soft, gentle and melodic voiced was heard on the other side of the door. "L-Link. Are you well?" Zelda ask softly, almost whispered and I found myself straining my ears in order to hear correctly. "May I enter?" she finished.

For what reason would Zelda be here? The guards had surely began their night rounds and it was almost impossible to sneak around undetected. Unless she organized to come here at this time? "S-sure" I almost thought I had whispered the answer and Zelda had not heard me as the door didn't open right away.

But she entered eventually, revealing her dressing gown clad figure as it slid through the now opened door. Closing it behind her, Zelda walk over to my hunched over figure, barely making a noise even with her feet. She stood there for a few moments and when I looked up I caught her expression. She seemed to be contemplating something of great importance but of equal difficulty.

After a minute or so of silence, trying to read each other through eye sight, Zelda spoke. "May I sit next to you?" She asked simply.

I looked down to the floor, questioning my own answer. It wasn't that I didn't want her by my side it was just that there was no known point to her being here. "Yes, please." I added the 'please' hesitantly and without notice at first.

When she sat I then realized that I was inwardly begging her to be here, like I wanted this more than I wanted to breathe. We simply sat there for many moments, indulging in each other's company. All past thoughts of not wanting Zelda here had fled from my mind and all I was left was the sweet, sweet ecstasy of begin in her presences. But I kept wondering why she was here still.

I turned to her. "Why are you here?" I asked, a lot more casual now.

"I only wished to see if you were alright." She responded, almost nonchalantly but still with worry sprinkled over her words.

"I think I'm ok. For now." I offered.

Zelda was clearly not accepting of my answer and obviously wanted to push the subject further, however, she didn't make any such move to do so. She simply sat there, contemplating something.

And then she spoke the oddest words. "May I hold you for a little?"

About a million things rushed through my head at once. I checked my self after throwing her a shocked look. Was I having another day dream but I just didn't realize it? Surely not, I should know about those. Unless this was for some other purpose. Then again, it wasn't for the princess to do something that she didn't feel would have positive consequences later on. That's just who she was. She would leap to help someone, anyone, if they were in desperate need. She was the people's princess, always willing to lend a helping hand when given the opportunity.

"P-pardon?" I asked dumbly. I had clearly heard her but I was having a hard time processing it.

"I asked if whether I could hold you or not." She responded once more, noticeably shaky this time. She seemed nervous of something. Maybe she thought that I would be angry at her for asking what she asked.

Then a new feeling welled up in me. Whether it was because of her words or her nervous look I just wanted to rush to her, to hold her or rather let her hold me. Instantly snapping out of my thoughts I responded. "Absolutely Princess!" I exclaimed way too excitedly and far too loud.

This didn't seem to faze her though as she simply lifted her arms and silently invited me over. I moved to her side and wrapped my arms around her petite waist. All the while she wrapped one of her arms around my back and her other hand found its way into my hair, pushing my head down to her shoulder. Once my head was still she began stroking it. It felt nice to feel her fingers move through my hair and it didn't even hurt when she stopped suddenly at a knot. My hair was not well-kept and was often matted. It definitely wasn't my most attractive feature.

I simply lay there, limp in Zelda's warm arms, against her even warmer body. Nothing could make this moment more perfect. Being in her arms and her in mine without even a single nightmare to use as an excuse. Maybe that was why? Zelda simply wanted to hold me without sobs or tears causing discomfort? Maybe not. Bottom line was, I was enjoying this.

Then another thought hit me. "Zelda?" I began, breaking that few minutes' silence that had taken the room.

"Yes Link?" She replied quietly, almost motherly.

"Is there a reason why you came here for this?" I asked, hoping for my suspicion to be true.

"Truthfully, there is." She answered, but holding back details.

I was beginning to become suspicious. I now know for sure that she came here for something, but what? Although, the fact that she failed to mention what that is seemed to imply that she was afraid. But afraid of what?

"Are you afraid of something?" I offered. Oddly that wasn't what I intended to ask but I did so anyway.

I noticed Zelda tense up when she replied and her voice was notably shaky. "Y-yes… I suppose I am."

That was when I pulled away from her. Out of her grip, I placed my hands gently but firmly on her shoulders and looked at her straight in the eyes, almost losing myself in those two pools of pure wisdom and beauty. "Just tell me. Ask and you shall receive, I promise."

She looked down slightly but quickly looked back up, new determination on her face. Here it comes. "Can you please tell me about your journey?!" I was startled. Not by her question but by how she delivered it. She seemed almost pleading, begging me to tell her the answer to the question just asked. As if I would not or as if she was fearing the answer herself.

Tearing myself from my thoughts once more and retaining my previous composure I responded with a simple "Yes" and sat back to get comfortable.

I warned Zelda that it would be a long talk but she simply nodded and leaned in slightly in order to grasp every single word.

And she surely did. Throughout the entire story she nodded at everything and didn't seem to lost composure once. Even at things that had frightened me when I was in the moment she didn't allow herself to be fazed. In fear that she may miss some of the following story possibly?

Despite the previous days I found myself engulfed in memories, both happy and sad, but smiling at them never the less. It was as if I had completely forgotten about the horror that I was going to have to explain later. The true reason for my never-ending trauma. For the moment, I was happy. Reminiscing on each memory as I told Zelda about them.

I didn't hold back either. I told her everything about the places that I saw. Clock Town, Southern Swamp, Snowhead. I even went into deep detail about Ikana Valley and how draining the aforementioned valley of death was.

But, it seemed like it wasn't long before my story came to an end and it was time for Zelda to respond to it all. She sat back at first, looking up slightly and putting on a contemplative look on her face. She moved into a state of deep thought, looking down now. She was so focused and I was enjoying it. It gave me time to look back on everything and wonder why I had been so traumatized over the past two years because of it all. But that moment was short lived as I quickly, and yet hesitantly, reminded myself why.

Zelda looked back to me, ripping me from my thoughts as she put on a confused look, her finger still on her chin in thought. "I'm not sure I understand. Of all the things you have told me not one single thing seems to have gotten to you. It truly sounds like another quest that you didn't need to take part in but did nevertheless. In fact, you were smiling through the whole thing."

My face dropped, and she noticed instantly. "Does my answer displease you?" She said with great worry. But she was quickly drowned out by another horrible nightmare.

Zelda and her beautiful voice faded into the far off distance as I felt myself fall and fall and fall. I could just barely feel her warm embrace envelope me. But unlike previous times, I was not freed of the awful nightmare that was to come. Unlike all other times.


Chapter Three:

Zelda's POV

When I heard that the coast was clear I began moving. Draping my dressing gown over my body, I moved swiftly, and quietly, to the door. Pressing my ear to it and cutting of all stimulation coming from my own room until I could only hear what was happening on the opposite side of the door, in the hallway.

All I heard was silence. That could have been a signal all on its own if I had specified a particular amount of time but I waited nevertheless, waiting for the actual signal to move.

Earlier that day I was in the courtyard after another meeting. Contemplating once more about Link and his episode much earlier that day. Looking up, it was evening. The walls of my own private garden becoming orange as if lit on fire. But it was a comforting fire.

I awaited there. Sitting upon the top most step in a simple pink dress. Quietly watching the birds make their new home in the tree to my left. I smiled at the sight but was quickly drawn my thoughts as the sound of clanking armor began getting louder.

I looked to my front and stood, holding myself the way a princess should, and awaited for the guard I had summoned. I had talked to him quietly earlier, asking for him to meet me here in order to discuss something only he could be trusted to do.

Allister approached me and dropped to his knee, holding his right arm over his chest and bowing his head. "You summoned me, milady." He simply stated more than asked.

"Rise Sir Allister" I exclaimed and the middle-aged man rose to the order. Allister was one of my closest guards. Even being close friends with Impa he had been with me for most of my life. He was one of the few people who I trusted.

"I seek your aid Allister." Looking at him dead on. Faint green eyes could been seen from the shade of his helmet that left the bottom half of his face exposed, revealing slight brown peach fuzz.

"What is it milady." He bowed his head slightly as he spoke. Though close, we did not drop formalities although it didn't seem to bother the man at all. However, it may have bothered me slightly but he instisted.

It was then that I told him to take the station in front of my room tonight no matter what. If he had to lie, so be it, I would fix the confusion latter. Being a princess has its perks.

"Will do milady." And with that, he was off. But not before throwing me a gentle and understanding smile. It was no secret that he knew what was happening. In fact, it was he that suggested my stronger feelings for Link whenever I brought him up in conversation.

The sound of two, distinctive taps of metal on stone could be heard and then I held my breath. Counting, waiting for the third tap …Three, two, and one. The third tap came and I turned the knob on the door quickly.

In the hallway now, I turned to close the door softly and then turned back, seeing the tall and proud figure of Allister on the opposite wall.

Though hidden, I could tell his eyes were on me. The fierce green orbs of his were battle born and always calculating, taking in everything that was happening around him. I gave him a slight wave but did not stop my movement to Link's room.

Pushing Allister from my mind I focused all my attention to the door in front of me, and, particularly, the man on the other side of it.

I knocked on the door softly, just in case Link was in bed. But he certainly wasn't as a loud "Who's there" resounded through the door, shaking both me and Allister behind me. Link seemed angry and I was afraid suddenly, to do anything, to ask whether I could enter or not.

Allister lightly tapped on the ground with his pole-arm, drawing my attention. He looked at me sternly and I could tell he was urging me forward.

Turning back to the door I began asking, cursing my shaky voice. "L-Link are you well? May I enter?" I also cursed the fact that I had talked far too low.

I was about to ask again, this time louder, but Link had heard me, somehow. "S-Sure." There I froze.

For no particular reason I stood there for a moment but cursed myself once more and turned to Allister. I mouthed a 'thank you' and opened the door, making sure to turn my head completely in order to hide the fact that Allister was just outside.

I moved towards Link, closing the door before hand and making sure I stayed quiet in case he was still in a sensitive state. The random outburst when I knocked earlier is a clear example of what could happen if I stepped incorrectly, both literally and figuratively.

I managed to reach him without any incident and he didn't seem to react close to at all. However, he did look up at me when I fell silent above his still, hunched figure. During that silence I was contemplating my next move. I want him, more than anything, to tell me about his journey tonight. If he wasn't able too then that was fine also. But I need to know what was terrorizing him. It hurt seeing him like this and not knowing what cause of it all was.

But there was something else I wanted first. And it may lead to the other thing. "May I sit next to you?" I asked, simply.

"Yes, please." Link responded rather oddly. I wasn't expecting him to say no but the way he said 'please' was odd. He was almost begging me to sit and I was happy to oblige.

I sat, not too close to him, in silence. I knew that I was going to have to be the one to begin talking but I decided that I would give him a chance. However, I found myself reveling in the silence. Just having him next to me seemed to fill me with a comfortable state of euphoria.

But eventually, Link turned to me. "Why are you here?" He asked casually.

A few reasons actually. But I decided to be simple and ease Link into this situation. I was afraid that my real question might be too much for him and I'll be met with anger or worse, hate. "I only wished to see if you were alright." I responded simply.

"I think I'm ok. For now." There was so much fear in those last two words but I could tell he was trying to hold it all in.

After another moment of silence I decided to make my next move. "May I hold you for a little?"

As I asked I took carful notice of his physical reaction. His jaw obediently dropped, eyes wide in shock. He seemed to be taken aback, like this was the last thing he expected me to ask, or not ask at all.

His reaction didn't help my growing anxiety. "P-pardon?" he said. I could tell he need some time to comprehend what was happening. His words weren't used in the way that it seemed he simply didn't hear me correctly or at all. But rather, the way he spoke, his tone, implied that he just needed some stalling time.

But then I started thinking of the last alternative and my anxiety grew a little more. What if he simply didn't want that? What if he didn't want me here at all? What if he was sick of me, my protection, constantly reminding him that he was weak?

"I asked if whether I could hold you or not." I repeated myself, cursing the shake in my voice. During the time I left Link to try and comprehend the question I silently came to conclusion that I would accept his answer, not matter what. If he wanted me, he wanted me. If he didn't want me… then he just didn't want me. And then I would have to grow apart from him. Of course I didn't like the sound of that but if that's what Link wanted then there was nothing I could do. Even if I was a princess.

But then his face changed. From one of sever thought and comprehension to that of determination and a need for something. "Absolutely Princess!" He almost yelled his answer, tearing me from my thoughts suddenly.

But I didn't falter, I got my answer and was overwhelmed with happiness. I lifted my arms, beckoning him to move forward, towards me. As he did he wrapped his broad arms around my waist and held me tight. At the same time I moved one hand to his back, pulling him closer, tightly, and my other hand to his head, pulling it to my should where it seemed to fit perfectly. Once there I began stroking it. Moving my fingers through his hair softly. I cringed every so often as I hit knots, worried that I was causing him pain of some sought. But when I received no reaction at all from the man in my arms I continued and slowly it became easier to move my fingers.

I loved his hair. His hair became matted most of the time due to neglect but that didn't matter. It made it messy and I liked messy. It made me feel like I had a connection to places outside of the castle. Being a princess meant I wasn't aloud out to often but upon times I was able to leave I would take much time to take everything in a speak to as many people as possible.

Casting such memories from my mind I focused my attention back to Link. He simply laid there in my arms, his body was noticeably warm but I'm sure mine was too. Everything about this moment was perfect. To not be shaken by sobs, to not feel a sting of cold water on my chest, slicing our collective warmth in half. This is what I've wanted for a while now and it felt so great to be in this moment. I wonder if this was how he felt. Did he want to have an embrace like this? Without nightmares as an excuse and sobs and tears causing slight discomfort? I liked to think he did but wasn't sure.

Then, the long moment of silence was broken gently by Link's calm and husky voice. "Zelda?" he began simply.

"Yes Link?" I replied, trying to keep the soothing quietness. But that didn't mean I didn't want to talk to him, to hear his voice.

"Is there a reason why you came here for this?" He asked.

No, is what I wanted to say, to keep this embrace going and not needing for anything to disturb us. But "Truthfully, there is."

I didn't give any details, hoping to hold this embrace for a little longer. I was afraid of him leaving my arms. But, now that I think about it, was that all I was afraid of. Could I have been afraid to learn of his travels? Or was it simply a fear of asking the question, fearing his reaction? It could be sadness and even anger, more so than it could be happiness and willingness to tell.

"Are you afraid of something?" I said. He saw right though me. Maybe it was his eyes or maybe it was just him in general that was able to do that. And not just to me but to everything and everyone around him. At least, that's what I thought.

I had never physically seen him in combat but as time went on I began having dreams. Dreams of another me witnessing Link, this Link, fighting Ganondorf. While watching from within a pink crystal prison I had a hard time figuring the evil king out. But Link did it in a flash, as if he had experienced it all before. He was truly amazing.

I realized that I had fell silent and was slightly tense while Link lay still, awaiting my answer. "Y-yes… I suppose I am." Even though I knew for a fact that I was scared. I just wasn't sure what it was that I was afraid of.

And then, as if irritated with me or something that I had said, or not said, Link pulled away from me and held my shoulders firmly. His eyes bore deep into mine almost as if he were searching for something, and not only that but pouring his entire being into searching for it but ultimately coming up short. "Just tell me. Ask and you shall receive, I promise." He stated after a few seconds of silence.

This was it. It was now or never. If he didn't tell me, then so be it. Accepting the good and bad outcome I became openly determined. "Can you please tell me about your journey?!" I hadn't realized at first but I had yelled the question, almost. That was what granted me his reaction, shock. But at first I thought I had made a grave mistake. Before I became rational my heart fell and it almost shattered. His reaction almost seemed as if the unwanted happened and he would push me away, refusing to say anything and even refusing to see me anymore.

"Yes" was all he said and I quickly relaxed, knowing that I was about to hear great things. But inevitably bad things also. He sat back to get comfortable and I, reluctantly, followed his example, placing this distance between us, shoulders faced directly to the other.

Before he got anywhere he had told me that we would be here for a while, maybe the entire night but I didn't care. I simply nodded and urged him on, leaning in as I did so, just a little, hoping to catch every word.

He then began speaking and I was swept away. I was taken to another kingdom entirely, one without a castle or a King or a Princess. Only memories. He seemed to constantly point out that people in Termina, an odd name for a country, seemed to look exactly like people from Hyrule, though they had different personalities and even names.

He told me so many stories, ones of great joy and some of great fear. But, knowing Link, when we got to those stories he did not seemed disturbed at all. In fact, he seemed to be incredibly happy throughout the telling. Smiling greatly at every happy memory and not dropping below a small smile, a sad smile, at unhappy ones.

He told me of a swamp, a mountain and even a vast ocean. It then appeared that Termina was, in fact, a kingdom though its castle and the area around had been cursed and turned into a land that thrived with that of the dead. I shuddered slightly but noticeable enough and Link continued.

After he was finished I became extremely confused and showed it. I went into a state of deep thought, picking apart everything he had told me and examining it. But I just couldn't think of anything connected to these nightmares. Then again I hadn't really been told of them, only that they were terrifying enough to put a brave man, who had seen so many un-holy sites at the ripe young age of ten, and faced them with nothing but courage, on his knees in pain and agony. So I just simply noted his facial reactions while he spoke. But still nothing.

"I'm not sure I understand. Of all the things you have told me not one single thing seems to have gotten to you. It truly sounds like another quest that you didn't need to take part in but did nevertheless. In fact, you were smiling through the whole thing." I had said.

But as I finished Link's face dropped and my heart sank. "Does my answer displease you?" I inwardly shunned myself. That wasn't the problem but I knew what was happening all too clearly. Link fell to the floor. I yelled his name but was met with silence and as I looked into his half opened eyes, while he lay limp in my arms that had caught him just before he hit the floor, I could tell that he wasn't able to hear me.

But yelled nevertheless


Thank you for reading. Please Review and let me know what you think. The next chapter is most likely going to be the last but it may not be, still not sure yet. Any way, Thank you once more.