Chapter 7: Princess

Link determinedly strode over to Epona and untied her from her spot, where she was blissfully grazing in the grass.

"Where are you going?" Malon exclaimed.

"To the city," Link replied.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I need to speak with the king. He'll know what to do and how to find this enemy."

"Are you crazy?" Malon cried. "What makes you think the king will grant you audience?"

Link stopped. He turned and faced Malon. Again, what she saw in his eyes frightened her.

"He will speak with me." Link returned to placing the saddle on Epona's back.

"Well then I'm coming with you," she said.

"No." Link replied. "Not this time. It's too dangerous."

"Dangerous?" she asked skeptically. "What's so dangerous about going to see the king?"

"Whatever destroyed this village could still be out there," Link replied.

"Well if it is then I'll be in no more danger than you will," said Malon smartly.

Link turned on her again.

"Link, you're scaring me," she said.

"Listen, Malon!" Link cried. "This is something I have to do alone. I can't have anyone tagging along. You'll only slow me down!"

There was silence. Malon looked hurt. Link kept bearing down. She began to get extremely frightened.

"Link… stay back," she said. She began to back away. "You're really scaring me."

But Link didn't follow her. He just kept staring, still not changing his motive or his emotion.

Malon stopped backing away, but still kept ever wary of him. She thought something about the village must have snapped something in his brain. He just wasn't the same. There was a bitter coldness behind his eyes.

"I'll take you to the city," said Link. "I'll pay for you to stay at the inn. After that, I'll be on my own."

"Why do you have to be this way?" Malon cried in frustration. "Is this some macho thing? Are you doing this to prove something to someone?"

Link didn't answer. He simply climbed on Epona's saddle and waited. She stared at him for a moment before climbing on behind him grudgingly. Link clicked his tongue and kicked Epona's sides lightly, turning the reins toward the exit of Kakariko Village. Malon took one last look at the village before it was no longer visible. Link did not.

The ride to Hyrule City was a short one. From Kakariko Village to the city was only about a ten-minute ride. It filled Link with rage to know that the king didn't send troops over to defend Kakariko when it was that close.

They finally arrived at the lowered drawbridge that led into the city. They crossed it and continued through the cobblestone street that led into Hyrule Market. Things had definitely improved here. They had done many expansions to the market to make it more than just a market; that was why it was now called Hyrule City. There were now several homes, a barracks, a soldier training facility, numerous government buildings, a stable, and an armory. The city expanded to almost four square miles.

Link steered Epona around the fountain centered in the market and headed straight for the inn, which had once been a Happy Mask Shop until it closed down.

Before Link dismounted, he noticed something odd. He could have sworn he saw his next-door neighbor from Kakariko Village playing with his child. Link rubbed his eyes. His mind was playing games with him.

"Hey Link, isn't that…." Malon began. Link turned to place his gaze where hers landed. Malon ran forward. Link didn't get it. But then he saw a large, burly, bearded man with his hair tied back in a ponytail rushing toward her. It was her father, Talon! He had survived the attack!

"Daddy!" Malon cried. Talon could hardly see; his eyes were full of tears. Father and daughter finally met in a tight, relieved embrace. Malon's eyes were streaming as much as her father's.

Link watched the reunion without emotion. He actually truly wanted to be happy, but he was now empty of all emotion but anger. He waited until the two were finished. Malon gestured for her father to stay put for a moment while she spoke with Link.

"Well… I think I'm going to be staying with him. You don't need to pay anything," she said with a smile. It was the first time she had shown any warmth toward him since they discovered the village's current status.

"I hope you two are happy," said Link, turning around to face Epona. Before he could climb on, Malon placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Link, I'm worried about you."

"Why's that?" he said, turning to face her. He still loved her. It was the one emotion he felt besides anger, and he only felt it toward her. But the destruction of the village changed him. He had a hard time showing it.

"I'm worried that you might take this too far. You're hell-bent on revenge, Link. It scares me. I don't want you getting killed," she said.

"Why do you care?" Link asked, his arms crossed. Malon's eyes narrowed.

"Why do I care? I'll tell you why I care! It's because I've been spending all this time with you lately and I've come to learn two things: one, that you're a dangerous boy, Link! You think too highly of yourself when it comes to battle. You think that you're invincible, but all those fights with Mark prove you're not. And I can guarantee that whoever you're chasing will be much stronger and a better fighter than you or Mark put together!"

"And what's the second thing you learned?" Link asked, now interested.

Malon faltered, biting her lower lip. When she did speak, her voice quivered slightly.

"The second thing I learned is… I love you."

Link staggered. He didn't quite know what to say. She loved him! Before he could do anything, she wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him tighter than she ever had before. Link returned the embrace.

"I love you, Link," she repeated. She pulled away slightly so that they were still in each other's arms but could see each other's eyes. They stared for what seemed like an eternity, until Malon leaned in close. So close that Link could have counted her eyelashes. Link closed his eyes, as did Malon. Their lips met. The kiss was pure, their first kiss together. Link deepened the kiss and pulled her in so close that he could feel her heartbeat, which was beating mile-a-minute, against his chest. He never wanted to let go. Neither did she. He always thought it would be him confessing his love for her first. But he wouldn't yet. Not until the time was right. For all he knew, this would be the last time he saw her. When he did see her again, he would tell her.

The kiss finally ended, but they still stayed in each other's arms. Malon had a small smile on her face.

"I've got to go now," Link said. Malon nodded and gave him another short, quick kiss. Link pulled away and climbed on Epona's back. Malon looked into his eyes, and this time, she loved what she saw.

"Goodbye," Link said.

"Bye," Malon said weakly. Link turned Epona around and headed for the castle. Malon was a little bit disappointed. She totally opened up to him, confessing her love to him that had only been brewing a few days, and he didn't say anything back. Did he love her back? Malon was sure he did by the way he had kissed her. But he didn't say anything.

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Link came to a halt in front of the guard at the wrought iron and stone gate that led to the castle grounds.

"Who are you?" the guard asked hesitantly.

"I am a resident of Kakariko Village, which was destroyed yesterday," Link replied.

"What's your name?"

"Link."

"Link… what?"

"You don't need to know my full name, do you?" Link asked. The guard nodded.

"Thanks. Goodbye," said the guard.

"I am here to see the king," Link said.

"Um, no, you're not. I'm sorry, but I can't let you in. If the king did not wish to see you or you are not of royal blood, you may not enter this castle."

"I have to!"

"Why? Why do you have to see him?"

"Because I need to know who destroyed Kakariko Village!"

"Yeah, well, so does the king. That's been his foremost concern since it was destroyed. The entire castle's in a big rush to find out who did it and where they went."

"But I need to speak with him! I can help! I want to fight!"

"If you want to become a soldier, go and speak with Captain Thatcher. Maybe he'll let you in."

The guard shooed him off. Link didn't move for a moment, then reluctantly turned around and headed for the city.

Blasted kids, thought the guard. He returned to his nap. He was lucky that he had been woken only just before the kid with the blonde hair arrived.

He heard a thud behind him, on the other side of the gate. He whirled around to see who or what it was, but saw nothing. The guard shrugged and turned back around.

Link winced. He had to be more careful than that. He had seen a vine that led up the cliff to a trapdoor in the ceiling of a small room inside the stone part of the gate. When he exited, he closed the door hard. Reacting quickly, he hid behind the stone pillar, out of sight of the guard.

Now he creeped along the dirt path on the castle grounds. A guard came around the bend. Link walked up the grass part of the slope and crept through the small flowers. He gradually made his way cautiously to the castle. He saw that the drawbridge, unfortunately, was up. He cursed under his breath.

Link's eyes followed the flow of the moat. It curved around the castle to the spot where all deliveries were made to the castle.

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A/N: Sorry if this kind of sounds EXACTLY like OoT, but it's a little different since he's a teenager and don't worry, it'll be different. Okay, back to the story.

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Link dived into the moat, making the smallest splash possible. The guards didn't even notice as he swam past them and climbed out of the moat at the corner where it turned. He saw a door at this side of the castle. He opened it, and was led into the castle courtyard. There were beautiful flowers everywhere; they adorned pillars, statues, and vines climbed up the walls of the castle itself. Link stopped to admire the courtyard, and was caught off guard when a hand was placed on his shoulder.

Busted.

Link jumped at the person's touch and whipped around to face them. He beheld one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on.

She had flowing blonde hair that ended halfway down her back, and glimmering eyes that sparkled upon looking into his. Both of them were caught off guard by each other's appearance. It was the woman, however, who gained her composure first.

"I'm glad you've come," she said. Link was startled. This was the last thing he expected her to say. "We have much to discuss."

Link had expected something along the lines of, "Get out of my castle, knave!" Definitely not a welcome.

"Uhh… I just came to speak with the king," Link said.

"Yes, all in due time. I've been expecting you for quite some time, Link."

"How do you know my name?" he asked.

"I've seen you in my dreams," she replied. "I've seen visions of the future. I saw Kakariko Village get destroyed well before it happened. I saw you deliver the package to Marek."

"Whoa, slow down! I don't even know your name!" Link cried.

"I am Princess Zelda, daughter of King Daphnes Nohansen the third," she stated. "I summoned you here."

"No, actually, you didn't. I came here of my own free will," Link said.

"It may seem that way, but it was my power that called you and gave you a desire to speak to the king. As soon as I saw you at Kakariko Village, I contacted you with my mind. I've summoned you here for a good reason, Link. I've summoned you here to save Hyrule."

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A/N: I must say, it's good to be back! I don't think I've ever updated as quickly with two consecutive chapters, so enjoy! Please review.