LINK'S POV

The next day I woke up and looked around the room. It was still filthy so I grudgingly pulled myself off the bed and started to pick up bits of broken glass. I tried to stay quiet, but the sound of the glass clanking roused her from her slumber. Her eyes started to tear up again, when she saw me clearing the glass by the turned over cradle, but wiped her tears away. She offered, "Here let me help." I was going to say no, but before I could she managed to cut her hand. I immediately threw out the glass I was holding and brought her to the washbasin. I pulled the glass from her hand and poured water over her hand. I then pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and wrapped it around her hand. "I was going to tell you not to touch the glass, because I have gloves to protect my hands, you don't."

She nodded, walked over to a book, and threw it into the trash. Curiosity got the best of me and I looked to see what book it was. The book title read A guide to Good Parenting. My already heavy heart seemed to become even heavier. Zelda wanted a child so bad she was willing to keep one that was not her own, only to have it taken away from her.

A FEW DAYS LATER! STILL LINK'S POV

The day of the funeral had come and I pulled on a nice black tunic. I then slipped on my jacket, with a rose for Zelda. I went to look at myself in the mirror, but remembered it was a tradition to cover all mirrors in the house (or castle in this case) when a loved one dies. Since I couldn't check my reflection, I walked to Zelda's door and knocked she didn't answer, so I opened the door. I was horrified by what I saw.

Blood was flowing down Zelda's arms as she made a deep cut into her arm with a letter opener. When she saw me she dropped the object on the ground and her legs gave out. I caught her before she hit the floor and screamed, "What the hell are you trying to do, kill yourself?"

I looked her in the eyes and saw they were bloodshot. She whispered, "I rather feel pain, than to feel nothing at all."

I was taken aback by her response, but managed to keep my composure. I then asked, "How long have you been doing this?"

She answered weakly, "Since I was in 5th grade."

I then had a flashback of Zelda's self-portrait that had Impa showed me a while back. In the picture, there was blood flowing down Zelda's arms. Why didn't I see this before?

I walked up to Zelda and threw the letter opener into the waste bin. I then used a towel against her arm to stop the bleeding. She looked into my eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry, Link."

I nodded and replied, "I forgive you, but please promise me you will never do this again."

She looked to the floor and said, "I will try."

It was now getting close to the to the time of the funeral so we went to the stables, and I pulled epona out of her box, when I noticed Zelda was also getting ready to open her horses box. I grabbed her wrist and said, "Ride with me, please?" She looked ill, and I didn't want her to fall off her horse. She agreed and I helped her onto Epona.

At the funeral, the rain mimicked what we were feeling in our hearts. Because it was December, the rain was freezing as it hit our bodies. It was a small funeral consisting of Me, Zelda, Impa, Miss Simmon's, and the children. Prince Philip was feeling sick that day. White roses covered the ceremony. Everyone was crying, although if it weren't for their red puffy eyes you wouldn't be able to tell because of the rain. Emma's sister, Abby, was hugging Zelda's leg crying into Zelda's dress. Zelda brushed her hand through Abby's hair hoping to comfort her. A tiny coffin was pulled out of a carriage and was lowered slowly into the ground. I had my arm wrapped around Zelda just in case she should fall again. Though her legs were wobbly, she managed to stay standing. It was now time for Abby to throw the first clump of dirt into the ground and the guards finished covering the coffin.

When the coffin was completely buried Zelda kneeled next to the tombstone and traced the letters. Since Abby had hate her parent's for abandoning her and Emma, Zelda asked if they could write my last name on the tombstone. Of course I agreed, part of me felt like she was my daughter. The tombstone read simply: Emma Gale, 'Until we meet again.' Miss Simmon's took Abby's hand and lead her and the other children inside out of the rain. Impa decided to go back as well, leaving only Epona, Zelda, and me at the grave site.

A few minutes passed and I suggested, "Zelda, we should go inside. You're going to get sick if we stay in this rain."

She didn't moved but asked, "How do you do it?"

"How do I do what?" I replied.

"How do you wake up every day after all you have suffered through? Your parent's died and then your uncle. You lived in an orphanage. Then you were made a slave by ganondorf. How can you manage to smile after you have gone through so much sorrow?"

I picked her up bridal style and as I walked to Epona, I answered, "When my parents had died, I was only 4 so I didn't really understand what happened. When my Uncle had died and I moved into the orphanage. I was very sad so I acted out, but there was one ray of sunshine that carried me through."

We made it to Epona and I pulled Zelda up in front of me. She looked back at me and asked, "What was it?"

"It was you," I replied, "When I met you, it was love at first sight. As you know, I stole your hair ribbons every chance I could get when we were kids. I carried them in a pouch I kept in my pocket every single day. When I was captured at 14, I had the hair ribbons in my pocket. Whenever I was in pain or upset, which was most of the time, I would look at the ribbons and think of you. I wondered what happened to you and imagined what you looked like. You are prettier that I could have ever imagined." I pulled the white rose out of my jacket and handed it to her. She smelled it and smiled.

Finally I said, "Zelda, I don't know how to get rid of the pain of losing someone you love. But, what I can tell you is that the pain will fade in time. "Zelda, I don't know how to get rid of the pain of losing someone you love. But, what I can tell you is that the pain will fade in time. Despite Emma being do young, I saw the love in Emma's eyes when you held her. She loved you unconditionally, and will be looking after you even in death. "

She nodded, but I could tell she didn't believe me so I asked, "Zelda, do you know why I always give you white roses?"

She looked at me funny but replied, "No, I just figured you liked them."

I shook my head and said, "Every rose color has a meaning, Red means passion, yellow means friendship, and pink is appreciation."

"So what does a white rose symbolize?" she asked.

I smiled and whispered into her ear. "Pure undying love."

She smiled and asked, "Is that why you requested them for Emma's funeral?"

I nodded and said, "I loved her like she was my own child. When I held her, it almost felt like we were a family."

Zelda broke down crying and I stopped Epona. "What is it," I asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

Zelda replied, "No Link, you didn't say anything wrong. It's just until you came along, I felt so lonely. All I ever really wanted was just somebody to care. When Emma died, that loneliness that was levied in my heart burst. Yet you are still here trying to pick up the pieces. Goddess Link, I love you so damn much."

My heart skipped a beat and I whispered, "I love you too Zelda."