I Don't Want to Lose You
Chapter 11
hold my hand

Link, only 15 years old, looked upon the princess that sat in the cold stone corner. Behind him he took no note of the beautiful roses that were in full bloom, nor did he admire the lush green hedge that shielded the two from prying eyes. No, his full focus was on the beautiful Princess Zelda.

Her hair was in a lose pony tail; soft, lush waves of gold travelled down her delicate back. She wore no crown, nor did she wear an intricate dress and gloves. She wore a simple ribbon in her hair and a dress Link brought with the little money he had. It of course looked stunning on her despite not being nearly as impressive as the expensive dresses she wore. But again this was not what Link was looking at.

His focus was on the Beautiful princess Zelda's cheeks as tears slid down them. Her luxuriant pink lips quivered as she tried to remain silent, her eyes conveying her confusion at why her dear friend was standing before her.

Link didn't need her to ask him how he found her, nor did he expect her to. He just knew that was the question that was on her mind. With a bright smile link knelt down and whispered quietly,

"What ever happened can't be that bad. Crying about it will just ruin your beautiful face!" okay honestly, Link thought she was just plain adorable when she cried but it also broke his heart, so he chose to cheer her up rather than relish in her beauty.

Zelda smiled at his words but the tears failed to stop and her mouth remained closed. If she dare open it, the loud sobs she with held would be released and the guards would surely find her.

Link leaned over and pulled her into his arms, giving her a tight squeeze before pulling back and holding her at arm's length awkwardly. He really didn't know why but when they were kids they always hugged and held hands. Heck they even slept in the same bed a couple of times! But a teenager at age 15 was now very aware of the differences between male and female.

Even though she was just 14 he could already see quite plainly that she was 'developing' fast and if he hugged her for two long he would be very ashamed of the thoughts that would encroach his young mind.

"What happened?" He whispered again as he prayed she didn't see his bright red blush. Zelda was far too busy hiding her own blush to notice his. She also knew very well the differences between boys and girls and although just a teenager she could already feel his muscles beneath his tunic. It was far more easier to see him as only a friend back when he had all that puppy fat.

"I-I wanted to see the carnival that's in town. But I have so much work to do and Impa insist it's far too dangerous for me to go alone anyway. I wanted to sneak out but the guards are looking for me and this carnival will only be in town this one time!" Zelda's whisper grew louder as she hurryingly blurted out her tearful problem. Despite the thought that girls can cry over the stupidest things, Link smiled as he held back a giggle.

"Okay, calm down. I will sneak you out and we can go together. You won't be disobeying Impa then will you." Link stated as he stood up and peeked over the hedge. "After all you won't be alone if I'm there to protect you." He peered over his shoulder and smiled, happy to see the smile reflected on Zelda's face.

As a guard walked up, Link's eyes twinkled with adventure, his veins ran with adrenalin and silently he slipped his hand in Zelda's. Far to absorbed in the fun of escaping the castle guards, Link failed to notice Zelda's deep blush and her smile as she simply looked down at their hands. Shaking her head to rid herself of the thoughts, she focused on Link.

As Link watched the Guard pass he was quick to jump to his feet, Pulling Zelda suddenly from her seating position and dragging her around the hedge. They repeat the process, hiding between hedges, behind fountains and running as fast and silently as they could.

The gates were in view and the two teens could no longer contain the excitement as they broke out into hushed giggles. For the first time during their little escape, Link realised he was still holding her hand.

His heart began to pound harder and although he desperately tried to dismiss it to all the running they were doing he knew it did this whenever he was close to her. It brought back all those memories and feelings he felt when he was trying to save her. When he had gone seven years forward in time and was fighting to find her, to save hyrule. Those nights he would spend thinking about the little girl, had she become beautiful? Had she managed to escape Ganondorfs grasp? The more he thought such things, the more he found his heart yearning for her, not the little girl he met but the woman she had become.

Link glanced over at her; they were hiding behind the last hedge before the castle gates, their last source of refuge before their mad dash to freedom. Zelda was flushed from both excitement and exercise; her eyes were now tear free and wide, sparkling in the sunlight like jewels. She heaved in and out as she panted as was Link.

He could already see her growing into the beautiful woman he had first seen in the temple of time. He was both nervous and excited, wondering if they would one day get married. Not something a 15year old would usually think of but with all the memories of his adult self he really couldn't help thinking that way.

"Link! The guard." Zelda whispered as she shook his hand. Link blinked and peered over the hedge as the guard turned his back on them and began walking away. Link's adventurous smile returned as they silently stood and ran as fast as they could. The feeling of the wind in their hair and the soft grass beneath their shoes…..

…The feeling of Impa's strong hand on the back of Link's collar as she pulled him to a stop.

Link looked over his shoulder with a guilty smile as Zelda squeezed his hand. Impa's stern gaze and tightly pressed lips told Link one thing….. He was in a world of trouble.

As link opened his eyes he couldn't help but smile at the memory. The feel of Zelda's hand… he looked at his own hand, closing and opening it slowly as he longed to hold her hand once again.

"Link are you listening to me?" Navi's voice screeched in Link's ear loudly as he jumped in fright.

"NAVI YOU SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH!"

"I have been calling to you at for at least five minutes. You were just standing there with a goofy smile and staring at your hand." Link blushed as he looked down.

"Were you thinking dirty things again?"

"I DO NOT THINK DIRTY THINGS! WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK THE WORST OF ME?" Link yelled as he threw his hands into the air.

Navi floated in front of his nose as she spoke "You have been blushing an awful lot lately."

"Have I?" Link asked as he pushed her aside, feigning no interest as he walked across the wooden bridge. He stopped to look up at the figure standing on the far end of the bridge.

"Old man?" Link called out under his breath as he saw the scientist that resided in the little cottage lab at the edge of lake Hylia.