Chapter 11 –Zelda's Worries.

Mistress Impa walked down the crowded halls of the castle's east wing, heading towards Link and Zelda's bed chambers. She had a piece of paper in her hand and was walking very briskly. When she arrived at their chambers and opened the door, she heard this conversation:

"Don't worry, Link, we'll ditch those guards from time-to-time and have some time alone."

"I don't know, Zel, that could be a little too risky. I mean, what if the darkness attacks?"

"Well I bet we're more skilled than those four guards."

"Zelda, you're my wife and I care about your safety. We can ditch them only if the timing is right."

At that moment, Impa made herself be known. "Ahem."

Link and Zelda turned around to see Impa at the door way. "Oh, hello, Impa," Zelda said presently. "Won't you come in?"

"Now you two better not be planning to do anything unsafe, you else I'm coming along too. And I'm not that easy to outsmart," Impa warned.

Link chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on this one," he reassured her, placing his hand on Zelda's shoulder.

"Right," Impa nodded. Then she lifted up the paper in her hand. "Here is a list of the things you must make sure to pack for your journey to the Gerudo Valley." She handed Link the list, who stared at it with wide eyes.

"Oooh, blankets, that will be fun and cuddly, won't it Hwa Hwa?" Link asked Zelda boy-ishly.

Zelda let out a giggle. "It sure will," she said, ruffling his hair with one hand and taking the list from him with the other.

"Oh, and just to let you know, Zelda," the Sheikah began. "Even though your father didn't look it in the meeting, he was very upset about the assault. That's one reason he gave in so easily to let you get away from here. But remember, you're not going to the Gerudo Valley on a pleasure trip. You're going there to research this evil and partly to hide, as well."

A worried look passed over Zelda's features. "I hope our absence won't cause the darkness to hurt anyone…"

"Don't worry," Impa said. "Everyone will be on their guard, with gas masks of course."

"But the darkness might not strike again in the same form," Link stated, looking off into the distance.

Impa sighed. "Well, you two better get packed. If you need anything, just let me know." With that, she turned and left the room, closing the door snugly behind her.

Princess Zelda let out a frustrated sigh and flopped down onto the bed. Link flopped down next to her and gently touched her cheek. "You all right, sweetie?"

Zelda looked up at him, her eyes damp with tears. "Link, w-when we first got married…even though you were of common blood it was relatively easy. We didn't have to go through so much…but I knew it was too good to be true. Now…I know this evil, whatever it is, is upset we're together. For what reason, I do not know. It could be because of our triforces or not, I just don't know. But I don't think it's going to end well…" She then broke out into tears and buried her face into the blankets.

"Aw, there, there," Link comforted, soothingly rubbing her back. "Don't cry, darling, you don't know that it's not going to end well. Right now we're leaving this castle to do some research, and we'll probably find out more information about this darkness and all…don't worry, everything will be all right."

Zelda sniffed and looked up pleadingly into his eyes. "Will you be there with me…protecting me? Never leaving my side?"

"Of course I will, dear," he whispered into her ear.

She gulped, trying to swallow her worry. "Okay, darling, I'll try to be strong…"

"Good girl," Link said with a tender smile. He gently caressed her shoulder blades for a moment before helping her up to her feet. "I think we should pack now."

The princess nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Okay."

A/N: Wow, I haven't written in a while. It's sorta refreshing! Yes, I know this chapter was short, but hopefully more will be coming soon!