Hey heyyyyy!
How are you all?
Sorry to keep you waiting!
This chapter is, again, sort of uneventful. Sorry about that.
But thank you for the reviews/follows/favorites! It motivates me to write new chapters and makes me so so happy ;)
THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO RAGEMUFFINZ YOU'RE TOO COOL
a thanks to the reviewers:
ShadowNinja1011: I'm so glad you liked the chapter! I thought it was a bit confusing, what did you think? This chapter is sort of boring, so sorry about that! But I have much Zelink fluff and action to come ;) And thank you so much! I actually got the idea from another Zelink fanfiction I read that was a Sleeping Beauty/Legend of Zelda crossover. ANYWAY, I hope you enjoy this chapter! :3
Roflman01: hehehe I hate to disappoint, but it looks like stuff isn't going to go down for quite a bit ;) I hope you like this chapter anyway, sorry it's not very action packed ;P
Guest: no, YOU'RE SO CUTE! lol I went back and changed it because I totally knew that but didn't change it before I posted. ZELINK DOES RULE! And yay! I hope you like this chapter!
TurtleCopter: Really? AHHH thank you! You all know how to make me feel so special! I am totally taking that into consideration and will try to make my chapters longer! I actually noticed they were kind of short too, haha. I will so work on that, thank you!
Moontrance6: You think so?! Thank you so SO much! Yeah at first I was just going to make it like Snow White but then I was like 'what if I added some real Legend of Zelda twist?!' and got really excited X) I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!
RageMuffinz: Encouragement is just as good, it makes me so warm and bubbly inside! OH MY GOODNESS I honestly can't thank you enough! I hope you enjoy this chapter, even though it's kind of uneventful ;)
Link's eyelids fluttered open and he was blinded by bright light all around him. Blooming flowers covered the ground and he smiled, reaching down to pick one, when he saw his hands covered in blood. The Knight's entire tunic was stained a dark red, but somehow he knew it wasn't his blood. Link confusedly stared down to find Zelda with her eyes closed, blood pooled around her.
"Princess!" Link fell to the ground and gathered her in his arms. He felt for a pulse and found a very weak one. Zelda curled against him and smiled. Tears pooled in Link's eyes as he stared at the dying girl in his arms.
"Listen, Princess, I am going to get you out of here, I promise. J-just stay with me for a few more moments. . ." Link's voice was shaking as he tried to find the wound she was bleeding from. Zelda opened her glazed eyes looked up at him causing everything to freeze.
"It's Zelda. Just Zelda. . ." she whispered softly before her eyelids slowly shut again.
"No! Stay with me, Zelda, please!" he cried desperately.
"I am so. . . sorry, Link," the words floated from her lips before she fell limp in his arms.
"No, no, no, Zelda! Don't you dare leave me!" His voice was thick with tears as he hugged her against his blood stained chest. How could he have let this happen?
"It's all your fault, foolish Knight," a voice hissed.
"Show yourself! You coward!" He practically screamed, still holding the Princess protectively. Somehow he knew the voice had caused her death. Somehow he knew he had to get revenge.
The voice laughed cruelly.
"You could have saved her. It's all your fault. . ."
Link jerked awake, dazed and confused as to where he was. His heart stopped when he saw the still girl in front of him. He realized he must have fallen asleep while waiting for her to wake up. Link saw the gentle rise and fall of her chest and exhaled the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. She practically looked lifeless, almost like in his dream. . .
Link curled his hands into fists and stood abruptly.
The dream had felt so real. Why would he ever have a dream like that? Zelda wasn't going to die, not on his watch. Link took a deep breath before gazing down at the still Princess.
Zelda's skin was pale, the usual flush in her cheeks gone. Her hair, even though somewhat tangled, still looked perfect. Her dress was dirty and ripped, and her arm was bandaged, blood seeping through the bandage, but Link thought she never looked more beautiful.
When he arrived, his eyes had scanned the crowd, not thinking much of it. He didn't even notice Zelda, and casually introduced himself to an excited green eyed girl who he heard was the Mayor's daughter.
"I'm Ilia," she had said, before peaking around at his horse. "She's so gorgeous!" Ilia stroked the mare's snout and Link's horse whinnied happily. Ilia giggled. "What's her name?"
"Epona," Link replied, a smile playing on his lips.
"Epona? Aww! Who's a pretty horse? You are!" Ilia sung, kissing the horse's snout. Link laughed softly.
"Ilia, why don't you invite the poor boy inside? I'm sure he's tired. . ." The Mayor interrupted quickly. Ilia blushed madly.
"Sorry, Link. You don't have to tie up Epona, if you don't want. I'm sure she's a loyal girl. Our house is just right here," Ilia gave Epona one last longing look before bounding up the stairs to her home. Link released Epona, patted her snout, and followed Ilia up the steps.
"I just want to thank you for-"
Ilia burst out in laughter.
"Oh, trust me, it's our pleasure to have you," Ilia winked mischievously at him. By 'our' Link thought she meant herself and her father, he never suspected Princess Zelda had grown up in a small place like this.
"Ilia!" Mayor Bo called from somewhere outside. Ilia paused, gave Link an apologetic smile, then ran back outside. Link glanced around before placing his small bag of belongings on the ground. The house was little, but cozy. Almost immediately, Link felt almost as if he were home. A smell of vanilla hung in the air, making the place that much more welcoming. The door was thrown open again and Link jumped slightly.
"Link! Guess what? I get to stay with the Mayor too!" Someone cried before tackling Link to the ground. They tumbled a bit until Link managed to pin his best friend, Pipit.
"You do? Why?" Link laughed, throwing gentle punches as Pipit struggled, also laughing.
"Well. . ." Pipit suddenly stopped, his face growing red.
"I requested it," Ilia interjected before gently pushing Link off. "I wanted some extra practice," Ilia grinned, offering a hand to Pipit. Link watched as his best friend got to his feet, his blush slowly growing. Was that a thank you he mouthed to Ilia?
"Doesn't matter much, though. All that matters is we get to house together!" Pipit smirked as Link got to his feet.
"Please!" Link playfully rolled his eyes. "This will be-"
Link froze, all his playfulness melting away.
"What is it?" Ilia asked, catching on to the suddenly serious mood.
"I thought I-" Link heard it again and sprinted out the door.
"Link!" Pipit cried, following his friend out of the house. Link got a chill up his spin as he stopped to listen. He could have sworn he heard a scream. . .
"Pipit, gather any available Knights quickly and meet me back here," Link ordered. Pipit nodded, not asking questions, and scrambled off to gather the others.
"Link?" Ilia approached him and he turned, his eyes hard.
"If you hear screams, I want you to make sure everyone gets inside their homes. Tell them not to open their door for anyone, not even a Knight," Ilia's eyebrows were pulled tightly together but she slowly nodded.
"What's wrong?"
"Just. . . Trust me," Link replied. He wasn't even sure if he truly heard screams. He strained his ears again, hearing nothing, as Pipit and six other Knights trotted over.
"What's up, Link?" one asked as they all slowed to a stop beside him.
"I heard a scream, and intend on saving whoever needs help."
Link sighed, his hand inching towards the sleeping Princess.
I'm sorry I didn't get there sooner, he thought, his fingers hesitantly curling around hers. Once he found her, he was overcome by love and fear. He dreamed of the day he would someday get to see Princess Zelda again, but he never wanted it to be with him narrowly saving her life. She had been wise enough to tell him the sword was poisoned before passing out. The small boy Colin had taken Link to the only doctor in Ordon and the older man quickly started working on the Princess. He gave her some medicine for the poison, but said it was impossible to get rid of it all. The doctor bandaged her arm and told Link it was up to her to fight off all the poison. Link had nodded, but once everyone had left, he resisted the urge to sob. He had pulled up a chair beside her instead. It had been two days since Link first arrived and for only a few seconds of those days had he gotten to see the crystal blue eyes he had missed so much.
Link squeezed her fingers lightly before sliding his hand away. He sat down heavily, his muscles crying out in protest from sitting in the hard chair for so long.
"Princess, we would all like to see your bright beautiful eyes again," Link encouraged. She didn't move. "Zelda, please. . ."
"Link. . ." she groaned. He sprang to his feet, staring hopefully down at her. He waited for anything, a sign of movement, another word, anything. Nothing came.
"Zelda, Ordon needs you," Link tried again. This time Zelda's eyelids shot open and she sat up, screaming. Link stared, frozen for a moment, before quickly placing a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, her eyes huge and filled with fear. She pulled her legs up to her face and buried her terrified eyes into her knees.
"I am so sorry, Link," her voice was muffled. Link took a step forward, unsure of what to do.
"Princess, please, I should be the one apologizing-"
Zelda lifted her head, staring at him in shock.
"Link, you saved my life. I owe you," her cheeks began to turn pink. "I'm sorry you had to see me like that. . ."
An awkward silence followed, and Link's eyes drifted to her elegant hands, then her small wrists.
"You wore it, after all this time," he smiled a bit.
Zelda looked down, confused. She slowly lifted her wrist and the edges of her lips curled up.
"Of course I did. It was the only memory I had of you-"
"Princess Zelda! You're awake!" The doctor staggered in, a huge grin on his face. "I thought I heard a scream and came instantly. Link, why didn't you fetch me the moment she woke up?"
Link looked down.
"Nayru!" Ilia cried, pushing passed the doctor. She embraced Zelda tightly, making sure to avoid the injured arm. "What in Din's name happened?! And why didn't you tell me your name is Zelda! Not only Zelda, but the Princess of Hyrule!" Ilia screeched before embracing Zelda again. "It's going to take me a long time to start calling you Princess-"
"Zelda is fine, " the Princess interrupted. More people filed in, all excited to see Zelda awake. Everyone shouted questions at once.
"Are you truly the lost Princess of Hyrule?"
"Who was that?"
"Why did they hurt you?"
"Why did you leave Hyrule?"
"How come you came here?"
Zelda calmly stood, gently prying Ilia off her. She took a deep breath, her composure hard yet soft all at the same time.
"I am sorry I lied to you," she started, her eyes meeting every single person that fit in the little room. Some eyes were familiar, some new. "I will tell you everything once we gather everyone."
"Your highness, I can gather everyone and we could meet in front of the Mayor's home," a tall Knight stepped forward, kneeling on one knee.
Zelda smiled gratefully, bowing her head down to him.
"That would be lovely, thank you."
He beamed before squeezing through the crowd.
"The rest of you, I will be out in a few moments," the Princess said politely.
Everyone burst into curious chatter as they slowly made their way out the door. Soon it was only Ilia, Zelda and Link.
"That boy was Pipit, one of the Knights staying with us. And that's Link, the other Knight that's staying with us," Ilia bounced excitedly. Zelda smiled at Link sweetly. His heart pounded when her eyes landed on his.
"It's an honor, Princess Zelda," he took her hand and knelt on one knee, bowing his head. Zelda felt heat crawling up her neck. She gently tugged him back to his feet.
"Please, you saved my life. There's no need for you to do that. . ."
Link nodded, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"I can't believe you kept all this from me all these years! Are you nuts?!" Ilia chatted on as they all headed for the exit. Zelda peaked at Link.
"Are you sure you're well enough to do this?" He whispered, just loud enough to be heard over Ilia's ranting.
Zelda gazed up at him, nodding once.
"I have kept them waiting long enough."
And just like that, Link saw the lost Princess claim her spot once again.
Sorry if you didn't really get the whole middle part was like a "flashback" and the beginning was a (very important?) dream hahaha
But yeah, this chapter was kind of a drag but it is needed for the future. . .
you: *gasps*
me: I know!
Tell me what you think is going to happen!
Stay awesome guys!