Greetings everyone! I have to say, y'all are going to like this chapter very much! At least, I hope so… Its happier for one thing! The angst was becoming too much! Though I am still including it…

So, just to clear some things, in England, if a statue of a rider and horse, has the horse rearing with both its front feet off the ground, it means that the rider died in battle. I don't know if it is different in other countries? But that's how I've learnt it.

But if there is anything that you don't get, namely the last section, then feel free to say in your reviews, or PM me and I'll happily explain :)

Katie - Thank you so much, that is wonderful to hear!

Guest - both of you who reviewed under guest - firstly; thank you for taking the time to review, and secondly, this chapter may just cheer you up…

Enjoy! The length is a tad longer than usual, but you'll see why…


Confident, imperturbable… A valiant warrior…

A sword raised in battle, Epona rearing - both legs of the ground, a determined expression etched upon those handsome features.

The sculpture had captured him perfectly, right down to the unruly locks that were frozen in an imaginary breeze…

She hated it.

From the way in which he looked strong, intimidating and formidable. Everything that a general should be, but nothing of the tender lover she knew he was.

Brave and fearless - the true embodiment of courage…

Stupid, reckless, idiotic. The largest ignoramus that she had known…

And yet the most chivalrous, witty, heroic, devoted and charming man that she'd had the pleasure of knowing and loving…

Silent tears slipped down her face.

The statue looked so cold, so untouchable, so… dead. His eyes completely emotionless, blank and unstaring…

But there was that usual smirk upon his face, the one that sent butterflies to her stomach.

The fierce protectiveness that he wore without realising it. A characteristic that had resulted in his demise…

And saved her life. Thrice.

But ultimately, what she despised the most was that it was fragile. Stone could crumble. Be eroded by rain. Dulled through time.

Her hero had been strong. Not just physically, but mentally. No challenge was too large of a trial to his unlimited aptitude.

So much more stronger than what stone could be…

The last time she had even come to Castle town was with him. The season of festivities that she was expected to attend. A mandatory event.

And though it had been snowing heavily, a bitter frost in the air, just seeing his hopeful smile as he offered to be her guardian for the night had her practically skipping out of the castle.

Snow drifted down from the winter sky, each flake like individual daggers upon her bare face.

Zelda shivered, drawing the thick cloak tighter, retaining any warmth that she had.

Link looked at her, concern marking his features. "Should we not head back?"

"Hero, I am here to support my people. I cannot leave for it would be most disrespectful."

Her gaze remained on the singers. Every year, the town held a festival marking the season of winter in commemoration to the Goddesses. She physically could not leave, or it would appear as though she was blasphemous.

Link sighed, "but your cold."

"As are the citizens, alas I can bear it."

She watched as he unbuttoned his cloak, before she gripped his arm.

"Do not be foolish, Hero. You are not infallible."

His eyes rolled. "I can bear the cold far better than you, my queen"

Her lips quirked, "believe what you will, but I shall not permit you to remove your cloak." Her teeth clenched together and Link made a sound of exasperation before he smirked.

"Plan B, then."

"Plan B?" she questioned, her eyes growing wide at Links next move.

He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist, drawing her against his body.

Since when had he become so bold?

"H-hero, wh- what..?" she shook herself mentally; trying - and failing - to organise her thoughts. "This is highly -"

"Improper?" Link offered, grinning.

She could only nod as he turned her to face him, her heart rate drastically increasing.

"But you are warmer?"

Goddesses, she was too warm… yet she couldn't move… his toned thorax beneath her hands, his strong arms around her waist…

Had he always been this handsome?

"Y-yes. I… I am thank you."

His hand cupped her cheek, the warmth from his hands warming the cold skin even through his gloves. So gallant, she had to admire him.

His answer was to just smile brilliantly.

She swallowed her tears, the flowers crushing in her hand.

She never considered herself to be a self-pitying type. Death was an integral part of life. It was accepted and not questioned. Or so she had believed.

One question circulated her mind continuously.

Why?

Why had the Goddesses took him?

Why did she have to be the damsel in distress? Making no move to save herself that day…

And why did he have to be so damn heroic?

She threw the flowers to the ground, dropping to her knees; her arms tight about her torso.

She could feel others gazes fall onto her, the whispered murmurs rushing through them.

Her cloak did well of hiding her identity. Concealing her as the ice queen she was known to be.

If they saw her crying, no doubt her careful façade of prestige and power would corrupt.

The respect and patriotism lost. A simple woman on the throne…

Her court could be cruel like that, and no doubt Lord Godwin would brutalise her even more.

She had known that her show of emotion would be looked down upon, and breaking down at the funeral had only made Godwin more eager to mock her. "Women are weak when a man is concerned!"

She'd heard it all.. Hyrule would fall with her, never mind the fact that she had yet to neglect her duties…

That she was unfit to rule if she could so easily be manipulated by the stirrings of her heart…

The council didn't understand. They never would. People were like objects to them. Easily wielded and shaped to their needs and desires, no thought given to emotions.

At least Lord Baron was sincere. Having been her fathers closest advisor and friend, she perceived him as a family member, and as of so, he treated her like one. Offering to run the council for her whilst she rested.

Though she appreciated the offer, she had declined. Not giving the satisfaction to Lord Godwin for her absence.

Zelda glanced to the townsfolk. All paying their respects either through flowers or by whispering prayers. Some including her in them…

She couldn't bear their sympathy, the swathing of mumbled apologies as they struggled to know what to say. Almost as if they had to say something…

No, the cloak was necessary. For all they knew, she could be another petty fan girl bawling over someone they didn't know.

The thought infuriated her. How dare they cry desperately over him when they had not even known his name?

Act as if their world had ended when he had never been in it for more than a few months?

Cry over the loss of someone handsome, and not a true warrior. A remarkable individual…

She wanted to scream at them for being so selfish, so egocentric but she just couldn't.

They were young; immune to the terrors of life. Living their lives the way they wanted to, and who was she to deny them that right?

Her eyes wandered to her flowers, a sense of panic rising when she did not immediately locate them.

"Red carnations, and red tulips… Interesting choices."

Zelda glanced up, gasping at the woman smiling down at her.

Her deep black hair caught in the light shimmered the darkest sapphire, and her fathomless clear blue eyes held more wisdom that Zelda had thought possible.

Something about her was so familiar, and yet, she couldn't place why…

"Though lovers are lost, love is not; and death shall have no dominion." The woman held out a handkerchief, offering Zelda a warm smile before turning back to the flowers in her hand. "Dry your eyes daughter, tears will not ease your sorrow."

She selected the red carnations, softly brushing her fingers over their petals. "The dianthus caryophyllus, a flower representative of deepest admiration."

She smiled towards Zelda, a warmth that she had not seen true since him… Before she placed it onto the base of the statue, attention moving to the tulips.

"There is an old legend, long forgotten into the abyss of time, pertaining to red tulips. Do you know of it?"

Zelda shook her head, swallowing softly. He had given her red tulips… A token of his love…

"A Prince, from a country far from here, fell for a maiden. He loved her with all his heart for he knew that she loved him dearly too. Yet it was not to last as tragedy soon befell them, and death claimed the maiden for herself, taking her into the realm of the Goddesses. Upon hearing of her death, the Prince took his life, unable to live when his purpose for living had been destroyed. Though as his love was undying, from each drop of blood, red tulips sprang forth, ever symbolising that his love was eternal."

"The goddesses can be cruel in those who they select to die…" Zelda muttered, standing up from the ground.

"All life must come to an end." The woman shrugged delicately, positioning the tulips beside the carnations, taking the queen's hands into her own.

"When someone whom we hold dear diverges from our path; fear, anger and sorrow takes place in our heart, consuming our courage and concealing our hope. You have courage, Zelda. And it is in these times that it must be called forward. Though you do not see you hero, do not think that you are alone. Keep your memories close, and you times forged with him dear to you. Fear can only be surmounted if simultaneous with courage, just as hope can only be found if we have the wisdom to see it."

Zelda glanced away, unable to look at the truth that burned brightly in the woman's eyes. Wondering how she knew of her identity. "Not even wisdom can bring my hero back from the realm of death…"

"No." She agreed, her gaze distant. "No one is capable of that but the Goddesses themselves."

"Then why hope for something that no longer exists?"

The woman chuckled, a sound of pealing bells. "Hope cannot be seen, nor can it can be felt with our hands, so how do we ascertain that it exists? To say that we do not believe in something that cannot be observed is a very narrow perspective to have and hold. You hold faith though it is not tangible, and belief though questioned. You must have these in what you desire no matter how small, for it is in them that strength lies."

Her smile increased, a gentleness brought to it as she gave Zelda a knew reason to hope, "Link is not in the Elysian fields, my daughter, Farore holds him too highly in esteem for that. Do not be so quick to abandon hope just yet."

Zelda's mouth dropped slightly. "You mean to say that he is not dead?" She questioned, not wanting to pin everything on what the answer would be, yet unable to hide the buoyancy in her voice.

"Time holds all answers, ones that I cannot reveal." The woman turned away, walking to the southern field stairs.

Zelda sighed at the cryptic answer, before confessing; "I do not believe I can wait that long, I miss him terribly…"

She turned, her ink hair swishing round.

"It is often in the darkest if skies that we see the brightest of stars, waiting can be painful, as can forgetting. But not knowing which decision to make can sometimes be decidedly the most painful. Follow you heart Zelda, for it will never lead you astray." She moved back to facing the stairs, beginning her descent before Zelda called out.

"Wait, miss. I did not catch your name…"

Her lips tilted up in a knowing smile, her eyes sparkling. "I have had mean names over the years; Consilium, Prudentia, Sapientia… Some even refer to me as Time itself." And with a wave of her abnormal blue hair, and flowing cerulean dress, she descended the stairs, leaving to Zelda to stare after her in wonder, contemplating the semantics behind her words…


Pain. That was what came first. An agonising sense of feeling as though having been thrown at a wall. Twice.

Immediately the sense of not-rightness rose. This much pain could not be considered anywhere near normal…

A female's voice broke through the agony, one that brought no recognition.

"…is he awake? No. Still breathin' though… that's good…"

The voice kept rambling on, speaking as she picked things up and placed them down with a clunk.

When a cloth touched his head, his eyes shot open.

"Oh! You are awake! Sorry if I woke you…"

He blinked, making to lift his arm when he realised it was covered in thick layers of gauze and bandage, rendering them immobile.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you. Your pretty torn up."

An arm pushed his back down, with enough force to stop him moving, but gentle enough to prevent any further pain.

"Where's Zelda?" His voice was hoarse, his throat felt swollen and inflamed, as if he had swallowed a mouthful of salt. Which was probably quite accurate actually…

Images swelled in his minds eye. Watching her fall, the stampede of hooves, running, pushing himself to get to her before it was too late… calling out for her, his footing faltering, loosing speed as the bridge gave way… the stone crumbling before him, pushing her, for once uncaring of whether he hurt her or not, he would do anything if it meant keeping her safe… and then her anguished screams the last thing he heard as he plummeted down…

"Who's Zelda?

Link glanced towards the female, finally registering her appearance. Long red hair, simple clothes, and bright blue eyes that were staring at him curiously.

Clearly not Zelda… Yet sparking a recall of someone familiar…

"My fiancée, who probably thinks I'm dead…" Link croaked out, wondering how in the scared realm he had survived a fall like that

"Oh…" she trailed, seemingly disappointed. "Engaged huh? Goodness, she must be devastated…"

Link's eyes widened. She didn't know he was alive… He made to stand up when she pushed him back down again, and none too gently this time.

Guilt constricted his throat.

She must be worried sick. Just the sound of her screams…

He snapped his eyes shut, he never wanted to hear her scream like that again. Never. Just the echoes made him shudder…

"What month is it?" He questioned, directing his head towards her, but still keeping his eyes closed.

"April, why?"

April? "I've been out for three months?" How the hell?

"I only found you last month." She tapped her finger against her lips. "So you've only been knocked out for one."

"And yet there's probably been a funeral by now, a statue in my honour, a new general…" Link murmured, reaching to run a hand through his hair as he did when annoyed. Only to growl when he couldn't.

He looked down at his arms, making to move his left when he winced. Great, broken.

And it just had to be his fighting arm didn't it…

Still growling, he tried pushing himself up, (something a heck of a lot more difficult when your limbs weren't obeying) when she pushed him back down by the shoulders again.

"There is no way I'm letting you up, have you even seen the state your in?" She questioned, placing her hands on her hips. A no-nonsense look in her face.

Truth of the matter was, he hadn't. He figured he was pretty beat up, why make it worse?

Still, knowing better than to take that attitude, he lifted his chest slightly, hissing in pain, though still surveying the extent of the damage. More than enough broken bones, bruises covering every inch that he could see, and far too many bandages for his liking.

It would take ages to heal from all this…

Yet it didn't shock him really, considering he had fell off a bridge…

"I need to get back," he spoke through gritted teeth, stubbornly trying to get his legs to move.

She smiled, knowing fine well that he wasn't going to get very far. Continuing to stare at him, she tilted her head softly. "Why? Where you some fancy person in an army or something?"

Link chuckled, not knowing who he was? That was a first. "I am the general of her majesties army, knight of Hyrule and Hero of Twilight. I am much more than some 'fancy person'." He stated, smirking at her expression of amazement.

"How did you get here is the question then; your wounds are the worse I've seen in all my life…"

He hadn't thought about that. How he was even alive was more important…

"I guess I floated down Lake Hylia, and got here. Missing out all jagged rocks, debris and whatever the hell else was floating around…" It sounded disbelieving to even himself.

"Hold up!" She held up her hands, shaking her head. "Why were you travelling down a lake?"

Link smiled tightly, trying to find any humour. "A bridge we were riding over collapsed, and I was caught in the centre of it all."

"You lucky son of a…" She trailed, her eyes wide. "Someone up there is looking after you!"

He made to shrug, cursing when his muscles pulled. Unless Farore herself was guiding him, there was no over way to explain it.

Probably death was pissed right now that he was alive… It had to be the what, 9th time he had escaped his end?

"How am I even alive?" He mused, more to himself than the woman, simultaneously thankful and impressed that he had survived.

"You tell me wolfy, I found you on the coast of Great Bay."

Great Bay? Where in the world was… Then it hit him. Termina. He'd overheard people in the market town taking about the place, a great place to visit apparently…

He had certainly travelled far… and hadn't even been aware of it.

And then he realised something else. Wolfy?

"And you got me back here? How?" He coughed, his voice dry. How long had it been since he had drank something?

"Here." She handed him a glass, sitting down on the edge of his bed, careful not to jostle him too much. "Well, I was going into clock town when one of the Zoras came running to me, statin' they had found someone of the beach. And needed help urgently."

"And that's when you found me." Link finished, completely amazed.

She nodded, "I'm just glad the bridges that used to block Great Bay off were taken down, or we'd have never gotten you out!"

Link smiled, "you have my thanks…" he trailed the sentence off, letting her catch on.

"Oh! I'm Romani. I own this ranch, producing Chateau Romani; the most desired of forbidden milk in all o' Termina!" She stated, grinning proudly whilst throwing her arms out.

"I don't doubt it." He agreed, smiling at her pride before asking curiously, "why 'wolfy'?"

Romani chuckled nervously. "Well, your were wearin' grey, or at least what I think was grey…" she gestured to the destroyed material over on a table in the corner. "And just your eyes. They have that untamed confidence that wolves have…"

Link cocked an eyebrow. It wasn't the first time he'd heard that.

"You know, you kinda remind me of my grandpa too. In fact, you look just like him…"

She looked behind her, biting her lip. "I think there are photos somewhere…" Romani stood up, rummaging through the bookshelves at the foot of the bed, her laugh of success causing Link to chuckle at her antics.

"Here it is!" She exclaimed, waving a book in her hand, her grin taking place on her features.

Carefully, she slid her hands under his arms, helping to prop him up against the mounds of pillows, whispering sorry several times as he winced.

He was thankful for his life, no doubt about that, but could he not have fallen in a less painful way?

"That's him, right there." Romani pointed to a man that if Link hadn't known better, could have sworn was him…

Same blonde hair, dark blue eyes. Even his smile was the same!

It wasn't possible… not unless they were related somehow…

"Grandpa Link, he was such an amazin' guy." Romani stated, smiling softly in remembrance, unseeing of how Link's mouth dropped.

"Link? That was his name?" How the…

"Yeah… You look amazed!" She laughed, "The resemblance is mighty strikin' though."

"Name too apparently." Link muttered, it was unreal how much they looked alike. The only thing different was that the old Link had a softer jaw, and less defined features, though it was hardly noticeable.

"Did he have any kids?" He found himself asking, looking to her expectantly.

"Two." Romani answered, "my mama Malon and aunt Saria."

Link's eyes widened. "Did Saria happen to have red hair, and forest coloured eyes by any chance?"

"Umm, I think so. My mama always said that her sister looked like a forest sprite. Completely obsessed with nature and trees, especially-"

"Willows." He cut in, closing his eyes, seeing his mothers care-free smile as she looked towards him. Explaining the reason behind her love for the plants. "Because they were a symbol of remembrance, giving her peace as they reminded her of family, of Malon."

He heard her shocked intake of breath. "You knew her?"

Link smiled halfly. He had always though that he was all that was left. Once his mother had died, that he had no-one else.

Sure, Rusl and Uli were the closest family he had, but he had always wondered if he truly was the only one remaining in his family. He had accepted it years ago, he was a lone wolf (ironic as that was…) and yet here was his cousin sitting right beside him, just as unknowing of her extended family as he was…

"She was my mother."

Romani exhaled loudly, "so, that means that you're my cousin... Your Link…" she trailed, seemingly as amazed as him. Which clearly was a lot.

"Yep." He popped the "p", unsure of how to respond. How did you act when you had just found out that you had family you never knew about?

"That would explain how you look so much like him…" She mused, glancing between him and the photo. "Yet I cant see anyone else in you, not even my, I mean our, grandmother has any resemblance to you."

"No," Link shook his head, regretting it instantly at the pain that shot through his neck. Gods he hated that bridge… "I never had any resemblance to my parents."

Romani tilted her head to the side, regarding him studiously. "I think you look like your mother. I never met her, but from what I've seen of photos, you have her delicate nature."

"Delicate?" Link snorted, cursing when that hurt too. Note to self, don't fall of a bridge again…

She laughed, "I mean that you have that very parental look about you, like you'd risk everything for the one you love."

He rose an eyebrow, her inquisitiveness reminding him of Zelda. The risks he had took for her nearly cost him his life, and yet he wouldn't change a thing if it meant that she was safe…

"You could say that…"

"Grandpa woulda been proud, as would mama." She smiled warmly, though he could see her sadness through it.

"I would have loved to meet them," he sighed. He'd only ever heard snippets of information, and never whether any of them were alive…

"You'd have adored 'em. My mama was incredibly hard workin', she did all that she could for this ranch, she even used to breed horses." Her eyes glazed over, lost in her memories though her smile was still firmly in place. "I remember when I was nine, she went out one day, said she needed to deliver a horse. A cute lil thing she was too, chestnut with a white mane. I think she was called-"

"Epona." Link couldn't help his grin. "A birthday gift for my tenth birthday…" He could see it vividly in his memories. The bright smile on his mother's face as she lead him outside, laughing when he gasped at the foal in front of him…

"She's your horse?" Romani asked, a shocked happiness evident in her voice.

"Best horse that I've ever seen. She's stuck with me all these years, through thick and thin she's been with me." His words rang with admiration.

His ten year old self had laughed, the happiest he had felt in a long time. His father had died the year before, leaving his mother as a single parent, an amazing one at that. But always making her more protective of him. A horse had been the last thing he had expected.

"So that lass I seen was your mother?"

"Yep!" She nodded, "it was grandpa's idea that she gave it to you. He was the one who named her after his own horse."

Even their horses had the same name? Hmm… he wondered…

"Hey, Romani. Was our grandpa a hero?" It sounded ridiculous to ask such a thing, but considering how many other similarities there was…

"The Hero of masks he was known as. Grandma told me that he saved the whole of Termina by stoppin' the moon from crashin'. Though whether that's true or not.." She answered sceptically before shrugging. "Grandma did like telling stories."

Hero of masks? The Terminians who had fought in the war rose up in his mind, how those simple accessories had completely changed their appearance…

"Wait? He stopped the moon? How?" Three questions in one… Zelda would've berated him, but Romani smiled.

"By calling the giants!" She emphasised, her blue eyes shinning with amusement as she retold the legends of past.

Link flopped back onto the pillows, suddenly thinking about something.

"Where was the princess in all of this?" Every legend he had read about mentioned Zelda somewhere…

"Princess? There wasn't one. Termina doesn't have a monarchy, and Grandpa didn't seem too fond of Hyrule's…"

"He didn't like the princess?" So there was a difference between them…

"No…" She answered, her head tilting once again. "He said he felt betrayed by her for some reason. He never went into detail about it really…" She reflected.

"Huh," was his response. Lost in his own thoughts about his grandfather, what he had endured, and whether he was the Hero's shade… It would certainly make sense…

"Hey Link?" her voice brought him out of his reverie, brining his eyes to met hers.

"Seeing as we are family and all, and your engaged… can I come to your wedding? I've always wanted to go to one…"

At her shyness he laughed, feeling a grin spread. "Of course, Romani. Provided I get back to Hyrule in one piece first…"


Well… I can only imagine what you are all thinking now!

I'm guessing you all knew who the woman Zelda was talking too was right? Your all smart cookies like that.

The story of the Prince and the Maiden is a Turkish legend between Prince Farhad and the maiden Shiren for those who were wondering.

So, I cant help but notice how many views I get in each chapter, and yet no reviews… I'm not asking for pages, just a simple one line would make me happy, and for those who may not speak English, I will answer you even if you dropped a review in your native language.

So… with this in mind, I am being mean, and I am not updating until I get 100 reviews overall. Please people? Pretty please with sugars and spice and all things nice?