A/N: I'm super excited to put out this chapter! We finally are finished with the tournament!

* Chapter 4 *

Alaira woke with a start to the sound of a gong. She looked up and saw the healer standing over her. "Oh good! You're awake! The crowd feared that there would be no final match!" the healer exclaimed excited for the largest portion of the festival. Alaira smiled, then realized that the gong meant she was supposed to be getting into her corner of the arena.

Alaira looked around then turned to the healer and asked, "Where's Link?" The healer stepped to the side to allow Alaira to see the young man sleeping in the chair next to her cot. Alaira took her pillow and threw it at him, "Get up lazybones, we have a tournament to fight!"

Link jumped as the pillow hit him then glared at Alaira who gave a little innocent wave. He stood up and stretched his legs and back, picked up the two wooden shields he picked up at the armorer's tent, then looked at the healer for permission.

"Yes she's good to go," the healer said looking at Link, "But I'm going to give you," she turned to Alaira, "the same advice I gave him. Don't break your arm again, it's not easy to put the pieces back together." The healer turned and walked away as Link started to drag Alaira toward the arena.

"Wait a second," Alaira said refusing to leave straight away. "You've helped us so much, and we don't even know your name…"

"I know," the healer answered winking. As Link and Alaira made their way out of the tent, Link heard the healer say, "Seriously, what's with these people shattering their arms?" Link chuckled as they ran out into the newly settled twilight.

As they approached the battleground, Link and Alaira noticed something different almost simultaneously.

"All of the arenas are gone…" Alaira said somewhat confused.

Link nodded in agreement as he handed Alaira her shield. Then a voice rang out around the arena, obviously magically amplified due to the tingling in Link and Alaira's pointed ears.

"It is time for the final round of the tournament. Two have bested every other foe set before them, but now only one can claim the title of champion! This fight will be held all across the battleground! Spectators, I suggest you stay in your seating until after the match in order to avoid injury. But now it is time for the battle that will decide Hyrule's protector for the next fifty years! Will it be Link, the young man who bested both the reigning champion Goron-Lifter and Giant Slayer? Or will it be Alaira, the young woman who bested Ankle Shanker and Regent Slayer?" The voice trailed off at the question and the enchantment died.

"That woman who quit was Regent Slayer?" Alaira asked more to herself than to anyone else. Alaira turned to look at Link, but found he was halfway across the battle ground getting to his corner. "I guess this is it…" was all Alaira said as the second gong rang.

Link entered the battleground sword drawn the second he heard the peal of the gong. He watched as Alaira did the same. The crowd roared for each of them in equal parts, and both were nervous and excited at the same time.

Best friends pit against each other for all of Hyrule to finally see which of them was the better swordsman… or swordswoman, Alaira thought smiling. She sprinted straight for Link her sword clasped in both her hands. Alaira feigned a strike aimed at the left shoulder then twisted the blade sideways mid strike to hit his right shoulder with the flat of her blade.

Link blocked the blade with his own and countered with a shield bash to her stomach making Alaira stumble. She quickly recovered and blocked the next two slashes aimed for each of her sides. She pulled her shield off of her back, dropped, and quickly kicked at Link's left leg. Now Link was reeling as Alaira took to the offensive.

She slashed at Link's left arm only to have him twist and block the blade with his shield, but she blocked his blade as he finished his spin attack with her own shield. Link tried to shield bash Alaira in the stomach again, but she was prepared and avoided the blow. She took the opportunity to hook the hilt of her sword behind Link's shield and pulled, but Link just stepped forward and attempted to head-but Alaira. Alaira sidestepped and then moved back.

The duo faced each other breathing hard. Both eyed one another looking for a weakness. They had sparred against each other far too many times and knew each other's strategies too well.

Link jumped at Alaira just then intending to strike her shoulder, but she blocked with her shield. Link continually smashed his blade into the shield with his left hand while simultaneously blocking Alaira's wild slashes with his shield. He continued with his assault for a short time then dropped to his knees and tried to bash her legs with his shield.

Alaira knew his ploy and attempted something risky. She shield bashed his head as he hit her legs. Link fell to his back and Alaira fell on top of him both dropping their swords. Their heads collided and both were disoriented.

Link felt Alaira's weight on his chest and stomach as he attempted to get up, but was unable. He attempted to roll her off of him, but she came to as he tried to roll her. She threw her weight in the same direction to ensure that she ended up on top of him once again.

This time she pinned his left arm to his body using her right knee. His right hand was free, but the shield strapped to it made for a larger point of contact when she pinned it to his chest with her left arm. Half the crowd cheered as the other half booed and hissed curses at Alaira, but she didn't care. She made a point to add as much weight as she could muster to the shield as she bent her left arm in order to get closer to Link's face. She pulled her right arm back to punch him, but stopped. At her hesitation, the crowd fell silent, confused.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt you, but…" She whispered a touch heartbroken. Then she kissed his cheek. The crowd cheered and laughter was heard across the battleground.

Link was stunned. He stopped attempting to break from the pin, right up until Alaira's right hand connected with the left side of his face. Link, still baffled, was able to pull his left arm free before Alaira's second swing connected, and caught the punch with his forearm. He then hooked his left arm around her neck and rolled to his right.

Now Link was on top in this power struggle and the crowd cheered louder as the laughter died. He saw the two swords about two hundred feet from where he was fighting. He had her arms pinned to her sides, one knee pressed against her shield and the other on her sword arm holding her in place.

Alaira was squirming, and Link knew it would only be a few moments until she broke out of his hold. He knew he had to capitalize, otherwise this whole thing would have been a waste. He bent down next to Alaira's ear, and Alaira stopped moving.

"Are… Are you going to talk to me?" Alaira asked heart pounding from more than sheer exertion. Link chuckled and flicked her ear. Alaira screwed her face into a frown and once again laughter broke out through the crowd. It wasn't often that a man and a woman fought in the finals, even more rare was it for them to show signs of affection toward each other, real or taunting. When she saw his apologetic look, she knew she was in trouble.

I… I don't know if it's worth it… Link thought, but it's too late to back out now. Link balled his left hand into a fist and punched her in the right side of the head and once again the laughter died. Alaira, thinking quickly acted as though he had knocked her out.

Link felt her body go slack underneath him. He looked at Alaira and brought his ear down to check for breath. He heard her breathe slowly, and thought he had ended the battle. He stood up and stepped back watching her and the crowd grew silent, wondering if it was over. Alaira did not move.

Finally Link turned for his sword, and that was when Alaira pounced much to the crowd's pleasure. Their screams tipped Link off as he started to dash for the blades. Alaira jumped to her feet and tackled him still about a hundred feet from the swords. She stood quickly and sprinted toward the swords Link was on her heels but Alaira got to the weapons first.

Link made as though he was going to dive for the remaining sword, but instead dived directly at Alaira with all his weight behind his shield. Alaira dodged, and Link landed hard right next to his sword. Link picked it up and took a deep breath. The two of them where back where they started save a pair of bruises on each of their faces.

The duo mirrored each other for a few moments. Sword clashed against sword and shield against shield. Link sought to overpower her when their swords were together, and he nearly had her, until she stomped on his foot and made him step back.

Once again the blades were bouncing off of each other and the shields smashing into each other. Link attempted to break the monotony of the fight by dropping into a spin to take out Alaira's legs, but she dropped and blocked the swing with her shield and came down with her own sword.

Link blocked the blow with his shield and kicked Alaira's knee. Alaira stepped backwards and twisted her ankle. This caused her to fall on her back.

Link jumped at the opportunity and brought his blade down aimed at Alaira's right shoulder. Alaira twisted her arm and forced the blade to glace off of her shield. She countered with her own slash at Link's leg.

Link rolled forward barely avoiding the tip of Alaira's blade. Alaira got back to her feet and faced Link, only find that he was already charging at her. Alaira was too slow to avoid Link's tackle and they both fell to the ground.

Link failed to pin her arms as they fell and a struggle commenced. Alaira hit Link with her shield, and Link punched Alaira in the face. Alaira rolled over Link to take the higher position, but Link rolled her back over as he hooked her head with his left arm.

The friends grappled on the ground until Alaira could take no more. She was under Link once again, and punched him in the face yet again. Link was a bit dazed by this, and Alaira didn't stop. She threw him off of her and got to her feet. She picked up her sword, which had fallen from her hands as she was tackled and approached Link.

Link was just starting to stand when he felt the cool metal blade meet his left arm. He dropped his sword, but quickly picked it back up with his right hand. Holding both his sword and shield in the same arm threw him off balance, and Alaira ran in to capitalize. She aimed once again for his left arm, but Link was able to block the blow with his own sword.

He switched his sword back to his left hand and winced as he threw his own blow at Alaira. Alaira was able to block with her shield much to Link's displeasure as the vibrations traveled up his arm bothering his wound farther. Link stepped back and raised his sword to the sky. Maybe I can distract her… Link thought as he stood there.

What the hell is he doing? Alaira wondered. She approached cautiously, shield at the ready. Link waited until Alaira was within striking distance, then brought the sword down in a wide arc aimed at Alaira's left side. Alaira attempted to block the blow with her shield, but the blow was too strong.

Link knocked her shield arm back and created a small gash in Alaira's left arm to match the one she left him. Alaira had been knocked off balance by the blow and struggled to regain herself, but Link was already upon her. He threw his weight behind his shield and toppled Alaira. Link stepped forward and put his sword to her throat. Alaira looked at him, then the sword. She bashed the blade out of her face with her shield and swept Link's legs from under him.

You think you're going to win this? You have the gall to think that I'm just going to let you pin me while I still have two working arms my weapon and my shield? Alaira thought.

Link looked to Alaira and at that moment he saw something he'd never seen before. He saw Alaira's rage. Her eyes still looked like Death Mountain, but this time it was erupting.

Alaira wasted no time standing and throwing all of her strength into blow after blow after blow. Link didn't have time to stand before the first slash skimmed his chest. He was on his knees left arm across his now blood soaked tunic, right arm defending against each hack and slash with his shield. Alaira went on like this for so long Link didn't know how much more he could take.

I. Will. Not. Go. Down. So. Easily. Alaira repeated this promise over and over in her head with each hit the next word came out. Finally, Alaira seemed to lull in her attack. Link was able to stand. But that's exactly what Alaira had been waiting for.

"I am not going to let you win this, Link! This is mine. It's all I ever wanted and I will not let you take this from me!" Alaira shouted stunning Link.

She's not kidding… not acting even. Oh Goddess, that's why she had the countdown for the next Hylian Shield. And why she would always talk about it. This is why…

But that's all Link could think before Alaira had thrown him to the ground once more. Link, snapped from his thoughts, looked to Alaira sadly. She knew that he wanted this too, just as much as she did. She had to know that he would never just hand this to her.

Alaira stood over him and started another assault. Link, on his knees, waited for his opportunity blocking blow after blow until he was finally able to kick Alaira's feet out from under her. Alaira hit the ground hard, but she wasn't down for long.

Wasting no time, Link allowed his blade to bite into Alaira's right arm. Alaira was powerless to stop the blow, and attempted to roll away from the attack. She failed miserably but the pain just fueled her rage.

Alaira jumped to her feet and attempted to mirror her cut onto Link. He was able to smack the blade away from him with his shield jarring Alaira. Once again knocked off balance, Alaira suffered two wounds on her left and right sides. Alaira regained her balance and her rage only increased. She threw her sword down into the mud and jumped on Link before he could as much as think. His sword clattered to the ground just to his left.

Alaira succeeded at pinning Link's arms to his sides and proceeded to swing wildly in his face. Tears streamed from her face and mixed with the blood that poured from Link's lips and nose.

Link squirmed and wormed until his left hand was freed. He returned his own punch to the side of Alaira's face. Link rolled the girl off of him and dove for his sword. Alaira was on him as he grabbed the sword. She attempted to pry it from his hands, but Link threw his right elbow into her face causing her to fall off of him, her face painted scarlet from the river of blood flowing from her nostrils.

Link stood up and walked over to Alaira. Alaira tried to stand, but only succeeded in coughing up more blood. Her tears mixed with her blood as she rocked whispering, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." Her rage had died.

Link got down on his knees with tears in his eyes. I should apologize. But that would mean… No I-I-I can't. Link thought while he held his blade to her throat for the pin. The crowd went wild cheering for the new champion. Link just dropped his sword scooped, Alaira into his arms, and held her close as she rocked back and forth. A single tear fell from his eyes into the mix of blood on his face. The healer sprinted over to the duo in the center of the ring and Link proceeded to rub small circles into Alaira's back.

"You two need to get to the healing tent right this second!" The healer shouted as she approached.

"But… Ceremony… Shield… Link…" Alaira sputtered, blood splattering on the shoulder of Link's tunic with every word.

"They can have their ceremony after I've seen to it that the two of you will survive your wounds." The healer commanded.

"But—" Alaira attempted to argue.

"Neither of you are well enough to stand on that platform. You are coming to the healing tent if I have to drag you." The healer answered sternly. She then proceeded to pump a small amount of healing magic into both Link and Alaira's faces. The blood cleared up instantly as the cuts healed. Their noses painfully realigned themselves as Link and Alaira winced.

Link and Alaira were healed within the hour and made their way through the battleground to the closing ceremony of the tournament as the darkness of night set in. It was offset by many torches, both magical and natural, scattered across the battlefield and the spectator seating. They made their way to the raised platform, as the loser had to announce with their voice magically enhanced that they had yielded.

Link was the first to climb the west latter to the top of the platform. He noticed that he and King Daphnes were not the only two up there. Sitting on King Daphnes' right side was Princess Zelda herself.

Goddess, she's beautiful, Link thought to himself. The steel-blue eyes, her long blond hair, and just the confidence as she sits in her throne. It's as though she was born to lead.

Alaira had just made it to the top of the platform as King Daphnes stood from his seat. Princess Zelda took the sign to stand and the royals made their way over to the two warriors.

"You're supposed to kneel." Alaira whispered to Link quickly, already down herself. Link, who was staring at the princess, quickly mimicked her stance as the royals stopped about five feet in front of them.

"Warriors, please stand" Princess Zelda's voice echoed around the entire battlefield, but did not seem loud in the ears of Link and Alaira. The usual tingling sensation followed. But what struck Alaira wasn't the volume of Princess Zelda's voice, but the sound. It was confident but not arrogant, commanding but not bossy, and firm but not forceful.

Alaira looked over to Link and saw that he was basically in a trance. The two stood as they were bidden, and the princess continued. "As I understand it, one of you has decided to yield the fight. Please step forward."

Alaira stepped toward the princess.

"If you would please announce your intentions for all those who gathered here today." Zelda said flatly, as though the words had been rehearsed several hundred times while raising her arm toward the crowd.

They must not have picked up on the princess's apathy. Alaira chuckled to herself as the crowd roared. "I yield. The battle belongs to Link." Alaira said quickly gesturing to Link a few feet to her left. The crowd grew even louder as Alaira bowed.

Link chuckled at Alaira's brashness.

"Thank you, Alaira." Zelda said looking at Alaira as she walked toward Link. Alaira stood there shocked that Princess Zelda knew her name. "Link, Champion of the Hyrule Tourney, you are aware that this is the two hundredth year since the creation of the tourney, correct?"

Link nodded to the affirmative, still entranced by the princess.

"Then you know that this year the prize is a Hylian Shield. Before I can give it to you, I must ask you. Are you prepared to take the title of Protector of Hyrule? Do answer this question honestly Link, for if Hyrule needs protecting, you will be called upon." Zelda stared at Link expectantly, all apathy gone from her voice.

Once again Link nodded to the affirmative. Zelda smiled and turned toward the crowd.

"Hail the new protector of Hyrule! Hail Link!" Zelda shouted as the crowd repeated her words. Zelda then walked over to her seat where the Hylian Shield sat.

Link stared at the princess all of the way over. Alaira noticed and elbowed him in the stomach. Link gave her a dirty look as the princess returned with the shield. She held the shield out to Link in both of her hands and Link received the Hylian Shield. The cheers of the crowd died down as Zelda approached Alaira.

"Alaira, if our protector falls, may we call on you to pick up his duties?" Zelda asked simply.

This hasn't been asked of a runner up before… Alaira thought.

"In light of the battle we just witnessed, and how hard you fought, my father and I decided to offer you this." Zelda smiled as she gestured toward both of them. "If you should accept, both of you would be knighted and become officers in the Royal Army."

"Goddess, yes!" was all Alaira could utter as she brought her hands over her mouth in surprise. Tears streamed down her face as she dropped to her knees from the sheer excitement of the offer. The crowd cheered for the two.

"Then it is settled. The tournament has concluded and—" Zelda was cut off.

"AAAAGH" King Daphnes yelled as a black axe split his right shoulder through to his opposite side. Link and Alaira drew their swords and moved the Princess behind them.

I recognize that axe… those tendrils… It's… Alaira thought as Regent Slayer stepped out from behind the corpse of the King. "Regent Slayer" Alaira said as city guards and soldiers that were on duty or in the crowd all made their way across the battle field toward the raised platform. But Regent Slayer raised her left hand and threw a ball of light to her left revealing an army of demons. The demons looked fairly human. The main differences being their fangs, pupilless eyes, and dingy gray skin. The demons sprinted in and attacked the unorganized guards and soldiers.

Alaira yelled to Link, "You deal with Regent Slayer, I'll take care of the princess."

Link nodded and jumped at Regent Slayer aiming for her exposed neck. Regent Slayer caught the blow with her axe, then she whispered to it quietly in a foreign language Link had never heard. One of the axe's tendrils wrapped itself around the blade of Link's sword. Link tried to pull his sword out of the axe's grasp. He tried using the blade to cut the tendril and even tried kicking off of Regent Slayer, all while Regent Slayer laughed.

"So much for the protector of Hyrule. You are weaponless child. What are you going to do now?" Regent Slayer laughed as she grabbed the hilt of Link's sword. Immediately the tendril dropped the blade and allowed Regent Slayer to hold it. She threw the blade into the crowd below. It struck a demon and pierced its heart.

"Tut, it was a fifty-fifty shot." Regent Slayer shrugged. "No harm no foul, right?" she went on pointing at the demon. The demon pulled the sword from its heart and immediately used it to decapitate the guard it was fighting with.

Link dived at Regent Slayer and attempted to push her off the side of the platform using his Hylian Shield. Regent Slayer only laughed and moved out of the way. Link struggled to regain his balance on the edge of the platform, but it was not to be. Regent Slayer nudged him over the edge and he fell headlong onto the ground below.

The last thing Link heard before he saw no more was a loud melodic voice say/sing, "I have the princess and her protector. There is no reason to continue. We shall be in the castle as that will be my new home from here on out." Somehow the voice seemed familiar to Link.

A/N: By the way, I'm trying to update every Friday.