Chapter 21

(Rated M)

Zelda-

The following day I awoke to the light pitter patter of rain. I opened my sleepy eyes and was surprised to see that my bedroom was still dark; it must be very early in the morning. I shift gently in my bed careful not to wake up Link but my attempts are futile. He groans softly behind me and wraps his arms around my naked body pulling me closer to him. I let out a soft groan and nudge him softly with my elbow. He locks me in place and kisses my bare shoulder softly.

"Good morning Zelda" he whispers in my ear. He sends shivers down my spine, the sensation is delightful and at this point all traces of exhaustion have left my body.

"Good morning Link" I turn to face him kissing his cold nose.

"Did you sleep well" I ask bringing my head down to his chest leaving a trail of kisses all the way down to his abdomen. He releases a soft moan.

"I did, how about you?" he caresses my back seductively as I continue to kiss his lower abdomen. I come back up and lay my naked body on top of his. "Better than I have in ages" I say bringing my lips to his. As our lips meet he cups my face with his hands and deepens the kiss; his tongue finds its way inside my mouth and I find myself running my hands around his muscled chest. In return he begins to explore the rest of my body only increasing my desire to let him in. I can feel his manhood pressed against my inner thigh just waiting, begging to be let in. Finally, I can no longer contain the fire welling up inside me and I spread my legs while I'm still on him awaiting his entry and when he enters I am overcome by ecstasy. Our movements are in sync with one another; our bodies absorbing each other's essence. His hands cup my breasts and I release a moan. The hunger in his cobalt eyes scream to me harder, harder and all I can do is comply. As I throw my head back in pleasure I catch small rays of light making their way into my bedroom and I know all too well that our time together is running out; in a few minutes the maids will enter my chamber and we will once again be princess and knight..

Link is too hungry to notice and as he continues to strike I reach for his shoulders and bring him into a sitting position, I wrap my legs around his waist keeping the rhythm. Our eyes lock and it is then that our pace is slowed; he caresses my lower back and plants soft kisses along my neck and jaw. I in turn run my hands through his blond hair. As we reach our peak Link engulfs my lips with his and we fall on our side. As we lay there catching our breath I take mental pictures of this moment; of his lips, his eyes, the rhythm of his breath, his smile, the way he laughs, everything that I can possibly inscribe in my mind.

"Zelda" he whispers "I love you, I'll be back for you" he slides my hair behind my ear.

"I know" I say brushing his cheek

"I have to go, we'll be departing soon" he kisses my hands softly and I sense his desire to stay here in bed, where nothing else seems to matter. Slowly I prop myself up and kiss him gently. When we part I feel an overwhelming sense of despair and I am on the brink of tears but I suppress them. Strength is all I have now. He begins to dress himself in his captain's uniform and I put on a simple blue gown and matching lace robe. As he straps his red cape we hear someone trying to come in.

Knock, knock

"Princess may we come in" it's Impa.

I glance at Link and tell him to go hide in my washroom.

"Yes Impa, please give me minute" I say closing the bathroom door.

"How do I get out" Link says worry in his voice

I begin to search for the hidden door and when I find it I pull it open to reveal the secret staircase.

"Princess?" I hear Impa knocking on the door again

"Go Link, It'll lead you outside to the gardens, be careful that no one sees you" I say handing him a lantern.

He takes the lantern and pulls me into his arms. "I love you Zelda" he kisses my lips one last time and before I can say it back he disappears into the stairwell.

"Princess?! Are you alright!" Impa is getting frantic and before she can break down my door I rush to unlock the bolts. "Impa I am alright please there is no need to get frantic" I say as I let her and my chamber maids in.

"What were you doing princess?" she asks

"I was uhh, praying" I say

She walks to my bed and opens my canopy. "is something the matter Impa" I ask praying to the goddesses she doesn't ask any more questions.

"No, no" she waves her hand. "Julia, Amelia, please prepare a hot bath for the princess, we have a long day ahead of us" she says. While the maids prepare my bath I walk over to my balcony window and realize that it has stopped raining. For the first time since my father's death not a single cloud is obscuring the sun, the first time I do not wake up in a fright due to my visions, I can only hope and pray that this is a sign of good fortune.

Link-

I could still taste her lips; I could still feel her porcelain skin on my body; could still smell her, see her and hear her angelic voice. As I lean my head back against the curb of my tub I can't help but realize how far I deviated from my initial purpose. Zelda and I were never supposed to be, she was never supposed to fall in love me, but she did and despite my better judgment I allowed her to get close to me, to the point where I could no longer stay away from her. The path I have chosen will force me to give up my sword, but I would gladly do it if it meant waking up to her every single day of my life. I was determined to survive, but more than survival, I was determined to keep my promise to her. I would not lose myself to my anger. I reach to the small wooden table next to the tub and grab the gold chain holding the ring I relinquished to Zelda. As I inspect the silver ring I think about the last time I saw my father alive.

Flashback

We were in the gardens of our home; my father was reading a book while I played with my wooden sword. Zelda was in the kitchen with my caregiver eating sweets. That day I pretended I was a knight sent on an important mission to rescue the princess. I was in the midst of battling the princess's captor; I swung my wooden sword at the old oak tree with valor and courage; dodging the leaves that fell with agility and grace (or so I thought). As I delivered the final strike against my enemy the strength of the mighty titan pushed me back making me fall hard to the ground. My father rushed to my side and tended to my injured ego.

"Are you alright Link" he helps me up. Worry in his cobalt eyes.

"The tree pushed me back" I responded trying to hold back my tears. He smiles at me and helps me back on my feet. "I'm not strong enough father, I failed" I drop my weapons and look at my dirty brown boots unable to look at him in the eyes, feeling ashamed. My father was the strongest man I knew. His eyes were warm and kind yet strong and wise. I looked up to him, he was my hero.

"You don't need to be physically strong son, what matters is up here" he taps his temple "You see in order to win against your opponent you must first outsmart him. Learn from him and watch him carefully" he picks up my small sword and hands it to me. "let me show you" he squats behind me and carefully directs my every movement with his own, we side step and inspect the old tree looking for a weakness. I spot an old slash behind the old titan. "There!" I yell and we break into a run, my father still directing my arm movements. Together we hit the superficial cut only this time I don't fall back. I look back up at my father, pleased at our accomplishment; my father taps my shoulder and smiles.

"You see Link it's not about who is stronger, physical strength can only accomplish so much; it is your wits and quick thinking that will guarantee you victory" he is on one knee now. "Is that why you read so much, father, to win" I ask naively. He lets out a laugh and softly pats my head. "It is not so much about winning son but about knowledge, I read because, well I like to read; but knowledge, it gives you power." I stare at him in confusion. He merely smiles. "Don't worry son, when you are older and you inherit my duties to the crown, you will understand just how powerful knowledge can be" he lifts up his right hand and pulls the ring decorating his ring finger on his left. He inspects it for a while and hands it to me.

I look at the giant silver ring with the sapphire in the center and carefully take it from my father's hand. I inspect it closely and I can see the inscribed symbol of the Arlen family name; the knights helmet resting atop the flag with the howling wolf in the center surrounded by elegant swirls. I look up at my father questioning what this means.

"You will inherit this ring from me one day Link, when you are ready to take your pledge to the crown you will have all the responsibility that comes with the Arlen name" he puts his hand on my shoulder.

"I understand father" I say as I hand him back the ring

"Hold on to it for now, when you return from the castle you can give it back to me son" he rubs my head, knocking off my green cap. "Now go on son go fetch Zelda, it's time we take her home" he picks up my cap and places it on my head.

I run back inside the house clutching the ring in my small hands. One day I will grow up to be just like my father.

That was the last time I saw my father, when I returned home that night the mansion was engulfed in flames. As I gazed at the dancing fire destroying my life I clutched at the silver ring still in my hand and vowed that I would never allow this to happen again. The next day once the fire had gone out and the investigation had been concluded by the knight police I learned that my father had been assassinated in our library, the fire was a means to conceal any evidence left behind. I left the following week to Dagobert where a distant relative agreed to watch over me; Arthur was only a simple knight back then.

Knock, knock

"Sir Link, we are ready to depart" my lieutenant says.

"I'll be there in just a moment" I get out of the cold tub and quickly dry myself. I dress myself in my battle armor and strap in my sword and other smaller weapons I am sure will come in handy during battle. I take the golden chain and put it around my neck hoping this strong symbol will remind me of the type of man I promised my father to be. I cross my arm against my chest and pray to the goddesses for luck.

Once outside I see my men ready and assembled, I climb Epona and before I give the order to depart I look behind me. There within the walls of this castle is my reason to fight.

We arrived to Skyward the following morning; Commander Cardea was eagerly awaiting our arrival. Skyward was located southeast of Castletown, towards the Faron Providence. After our arrival the General and I wasted no time and immediately began discussing our situation.

"We have our forces spread out across the border, now they have already attacked Aldway but luckily General Arthur's leadership and military training won us the first battle" he points to the large map hanging on the wall of the small cabin in the center of town." The Zora warriors are stationed along this river; I have also asked a small squad of cadets to patrol the Great Sea of Nayru, just in case." He finishes his report

"Commander with all due respect, I think we should put more than a few Zora cadets to guard the Great Sea" I unsheathe my sword and draw the commander's attention to the map. "The Great sea of Nayru connects to these smaller rivers here and here along the Gerudo pass. The problem is that this river connects straight into Lake Hylia and straight into the heart of Hyrule, Castletown. If the enemy somehow manages to go through this waterway and takes Castletown, then all will be lost" I return my sword to my scabbard and wait for him to respond.

"You shouldn't worry too much Captain, I doubt Elred and its military are well aware of what rivers are connected to what, besides the Great sea is well protected by nature's own design. The seas reef will make it impossible for any seaside attack. "He places a hand on my protected shoulder.

"With all due respect commander, we should never underestimated the enemy, especially one who poses a threat to our kingdom .King Adair is no common menace; don't forget we had a traitor living among us for who knows how long" I say sternly.

"You're too paranoid Sir Link, you should get some rest captain" he says as he exits the small room.

I mentally curse his arrogance, I knew commander Cardea to be on the most respected military officials in Hyrule. The battle of Ordonia 35 years ago earned him that right among his fellow officers, but times were different and our enemies were stronger and more determined than they were 35 years ago. I leave the small cabin and make my way to my assigned quarters; most of my soldiers are either eating, or taking a small nap.

As I lock myself into my small room I spot a desk next to the bed and immediately begin to look for a piece of parchment. As I sit down I am more than tempted to write to Zelda but decide against it, instead I write to my mentor and good friend. I tell him about my suspicions regarding the Great Sea, and about commander Cardea's flawed and ancient strategies. As I write I want to tell him about Zelda, about our plans to wed as soon as the war is over but I leave that part out. Zelda and I decided to keep our engagement a secret from every one, if people were to find out I am the chosen suitor they would force me to abandon my post as Captain. I finish my letter, written in code, and seal it with the seal of the Hyrulean army.

By the time I go back outside I realize the sun is beginning to set, I hadn't noticed it before but the rain had stopped. Perhaps things were beginning turn around for us.

Sorry for the delay! Will try to write the next chapter soon. I will also be working on Renegade which will hopefully start to get really juicy. Thank you all for the continued support and I hope you like it!

Renn19861