It was around mid-day by the time they had reached the mouth of the shady pass through the hills. Now, riding through the field, Link was beginning to feel the blanketing heat of the day on his back. He hung at the rear of the wagon, listlessly scanning the horizon for signs of the seemly phantom hordes. Breathing a heavy sigh he reached into his saddlebag for the tiny flute he kept for occasions such as this. A little music would entertain both himself and Roland. He let go of Epona's reins and let her walk freely after Roland's gelding. Good Epona, as cantankerous as she was, and despite what Khai said, she really was a wonderful horse. He brought the instrument to his lips and began to play a tune he'd learned in his childhood. It was a light, simple, merry thing that made Roland slow the cart to hear it a little better as the notes went lilting through the warm, sweet-scented breeze. As he played, the land began to roll into the green, rich and rocky lands of the Lanayru province. The boy finished the song, and a lull seemed to pass over the both of them. Roland turned his head to Link.

"The castle is only an hour off, maybe an hour and a half, if we ride quickly over these hills. The steel's not going to break." He said.

Link nodded in reply and laid the flute back in the saddlebag, once again taking Epona's reins. He gave her a soft kick in the side and she shot forward instantly, happy to finally break into a run instead of walking along at such a monotonous pace. They sped on over the hills for some time, watching the sun sink lower into the west. At last, the top towers of the great Hyrulean palace began to appear on the horizon. The completion of the day's task was nearly at hand.

The bustling vivaciousness of the city was quite a tax on one's senses in contrast to the quiet of the forest village. Everywhere there were strange voices in different dialects murmuring together, others sometimes shouting out over the cacophony of language. The gentry and nobility walked the streets in fine jackets and dresses mingled with numbers of the Zora and Goron tribes. The scent of roasting meats, vegetables and nuts permeated the entirety of the city. Link's eyes darted about, his mind buzzing with the color and energy of the place. Roland, seeing the utter distraction in his face, called to him from the cart.

"Link, don't lose sight of me. The city is a big place and you would easily be turned around if you tarry."

Link steered Epona closer to the front of the wagon.

"I won't Roland. This city... no matter how many times we come through here... it's just kind of fascinating. There's so much happening at once, I can't look away." Said Link.

Roland smiled whole-heartedly at his youth and enthusiasm.

"Well then lad, stay close. The shop we are looking for is down that far alley to the right."

"Yeah... I won't get lost Roland, I promise you that. I just wish we could stay a little longer this time." Link said, a slightly sullen inflection in his voice.

Roland briefly turned his head to the boy.

"Another day. If we stay much longer than we must, we will be home well after midnight and Yolandae will worry herself gray." He said.

The young rider groaned inwardly though he nodded.

"That she will."

Link rode slowly on through the thoroughfare atop a very agitated Epona. He passed three noble girls, draped in silk, about his age. They looked up, smiling solicitously at him as he steered around them. He smiled warmly back and from behind him he could hear the group of girls burst into high-pitched giggling. Link felt his cheeks redden.

Finally, after a few slow turns, the cart had made it to its destination. Link, Roland and the shop keep then carried the numerous and varied weaponry to sorting shelves in the back of the shop. A few strained, exhausted hours later the shop keep handed Roland five hundred rupees, complimenting Roland's craftmanship and offering words of gratitude to both of them. The man took Link's hand in his and gave it a spirited shaking.

"I am quite impressed with you little one, you seemed so scrawny when you rode up, eh?" The shop keep said, still holding Link's hand fast.

"You're welcome sir, I'm glad I'm stronger than I look I suppose." Link said.

"Well, either way, I hope you get your travel's worth in pay. Hey, what's this?" The shop keep had glanced down at Link's hand during their exchange.

"Is this a tattoo?" The man asked.

Link looked down, the man was of course talking about the odd, triangular birthmark on his hand. Usually Link wore riding gloves or wrapped his hands on excursions out of the village, but today he had forgotten.

"Oh...no, it's..." He said, reaching into his saddle bag.

"...It's just a weird birthmark. I've had it since I can remember." He said, thinking suddenly of how it had gotten much darker in the past year.

Link laughed awkwardly as he slipped on a pair of riding gloves. The boy had always hated it when people pointed out the strange, golden-brown anomaly though he knew not entirely why. The shop keep shrugged.

"No need to be embarrassed. We all have strange things about ourselves, eh? Well, Din's blessings."

Link smiled at the sentiment.

"Thank you, sir. Have a good night."

Then as quickly as they had come, Link and Roland rode off; leaving the vibrant hum of the city to the coming dusk. When they had passed the drawbridge and the sound of the many voices began to fade into the wind, Link felt the tiniest twinge of disappointment. As the boy and his mentor began to ride once again over the hills toward the pass, he began to ponder his quiet life in his village buried beneath a vast, emerald sea. He knew that things could not stay this way forever. He mused that perhaps one day he would leave the forest for good. Though, of where he would go, the boy could not say. The thought was like an itch inside of him that would emerge when he allowed himself to think of the world long enough. He had felt it as a child but the older he became, the more this sense intensified. He felt so often out-of-place most everywhere he went. It wasn't so much that he didn't relate to others or that people thought him strange, it was that he many times felt as though he were a spectator; watching his life unfold as he stood in anticipation, of what he did not know. It was a strange, empty restlessness that followed him and it made him feel quite turbulent at times, at others, incredibly lonely. He wondered at it now; the nagging feeling that seemed to hover about him. It made him all the more anxious, and he couldn't help the urge he felt to ride off into the hills and disappear; into the folds of the mountains or the glittering waters of the lake he had only seen once in his life. Would he feel differently elsewhere? Could he even leave his village? Could he leave behind Rue, Khai, and all the others so dear to his heart and etched into his life? As Link thought, something in the distance caught his attention. He slowed Epona and shielded his eyes from the glaring sun. Yonder, there was a cloaked figure of a woman, walking briskly over the hills.

"Do you see her?" Link asked, still shading the sun from his face.

Roland squinted against the light.

"I do. She may be in danger if she goes that way alone. Maybe she doesn't know of the Bulblin camps." He replied.

Link watched the figure in the distance. Epona shook her head and stepped side to side.

"I'm going to ride ahead." Said Link.

He gently kicked Epona and she started off in a gallop toward the figure. As he came upon her he pulled his horse to a trot and called out to her.

"Lady?"

The girl didn't turn, Link waited until he got a little closer and called again.

"Miss?"

The girl stopped and stiffened at his voice. She turned to face him, looking up at the boy with a cautious gaze. Her hood fell in the wind to reveal her yellow hair. Link fell silent for a moment as he dismounted, enamored. He had never seen such a hauntingly beautiful girl; her eyes a strange shade of blue and violet, standing fiercely out from her fine-featured, ivory face. The hem of the simple, white dress she wore fluttered beneath the cloak in the warm wind. She twitched a golden eyebrow at him and did a quick, high curtsy

"Sir." She said

"Lady..."

The boy cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. My friend and I saw you heading this way and we wanted to be sure that you knew that there's Bulblin all over the place. It's dangerous out here." Link said, softly.

The girl smiled, though her countenance remained forlorn.

"I know. I do not care. There is someone I must see, it could be a matter of life or death." She said.

Link's brows knitted at her statement.

"Are you armed, miss?" He asked.

She pulled a rapier from the black scabbard obscured by her cloak. She held the blade at her side, the sun glittering upon the thin steel.

"I am armed. I know a passage to Kakariko from the river. Please do not concern yourself with me friend, I have my own business to attend to." She said.

She sheathed her sword and turned to continue her trek.

"Wait." Link said, and she turned her attention to him again.

"You said you were going to Kakariko, yeah? My friend and I live down in the Faron province, we could take you there. To Kakariko I mean... You shouldn't go on by yourself... even if you have a sword. It's going to be dark soon. Roland is just over that hill. He'll be here in a minute. You can sit in the wagon if you want."

The girl suddenly looked very weary and her face flushed with relief. In truth, she hadn't slept more than two or three hours in the passing days. She couldn't help but accept the offer. She sensed something different about the boy, and he seemed somehow strangely familiar. Her eyes moved to his.

"Do you mean it, sincerely? Will you take me?"

Link nodded.

"Of course. I'm Link, what's your name?" He said, extending a hand.

The girl paused, but gripped his hand and shook it regardless.

"Amencillia." She said.

Link took her hand as gently as he could; being careful not to dirty the lacy, finger-less wristlets she wore.

Within moments, Roland appeared and brought the cart to a stop, curiously regarding first the beautiful girl and then his ward.

Link turned and spoke.

"Roland, this is Amencillia. She's trying to get over to Kakariko and…"

"I must get back as well... at least back to this spot." The girl interjected, casting her eyes downward.

"I am sorry… I forgot to mention that."

Link looked at the girl and then walked to the side of the cart to speak to Roland.

"We have to take her Roland." Said Link, quietly.

Roland rolled his eyes but nodded his head anyhow.

"You explain to Yolandae..." He said aside.

He looked up to the mysterious golden-haired girl.

"Lady, please sit you down. We will gladly take you to the old Sheikah village and back to your front door." Said Roland.

The girl grinned, and started towards Epona; laughing quietly to herself.

"Or you could let me ride your beautiful mare. I have never seen such a red horse... and the white mane. She's quite striking." She said.

Before Link could say a word of warning the girl reached out and stroked the white star on Epona's forehead. Then both the boy and the old knight sat in puzzled amazement at what happened next. Epona snorted, and began to nuzzle the girl's face; chewing her hair in an affectionate manner. The girl laughed, musically this time.

"She's sweet-tempered too. What a lovely horse, what's her name?" She asked.

When she noticed the looks of shock on the faces of her two new traveling companions, she stepped away from the mare, looking questioningly at Link.

"Why do you look at me that way?" She asked

Roland shook his head.

"I have never seen that horse let anyone touch her in the seven years this boy has owned her. She is one of the most ill-tempered horses I have ever known. She is taken with Link, but I have never seen her treat anyone else as such." Said Roland.

A large, thoughtful smile spread on her lips like the sun emerging from a cloud.

"I consider myself privileged, then, to have the approval of this most astonishing horse." She said.

"Her name's Epona." Link said tentatively.

"I've never met another person that she likes. She tolerates people but... she's never done that to anyone else. That's so weird... So I guess, since she won't bite you, I could have you ride with me... if you want" He added.

The girl curtsied again, but lower this time.

"I would love that, thank you sir." She said, bringing her eyes to his.

It would be much harder to spot me if I'm behind him..

Link mounted Epona and offered his hand to the strange roaming beauty. She took it and pulled herself into the saddle. She gathered her cascading hair over her shoulder, puling the hood over her head once more and spoke to the boy close to his right ear.

"I apologize for inconveniencing you, though I cannot thank you enough for your aid." She said.

Link tensed as her arms went about his waist and he felt the blood rush to his cheeks as he kicked Epona into a run. The horse darted away across the field with Roland and his wagon behind them.

The river passage was a narrow, rocky road that wound next to a small tributary of the greater Zora's river. As they passed, the girl remembered travelling this way once when she was very young. This path had some time ago been a relatively well traveled road by the Hyrulean army, as it was sheltered by great shelves of stone. The horses had not broken their pace except for in a few weathered spots where the river had begun to swallow the path. As the road stretched on, the trail became a tunnel, cave-like expect for the crumbled white brick that paved the aged road. Link began to notice the remnants of lamps still hanging from the walls. As the daylight faded from the cave, Link reached again into the saddle bag to retrieve his lantern. He lit its wick and illuminated the walls beside and above them. The boy looked up at the ceiling of the underground river passage. Behind cracking mortar he could see giant wooden beams, the roots of plants hanging like living stalactites.

"Where are we?" He asked, still gazing upward.

"We are underneath the castle. It was built above the river to provide an instant water source for the people of the city. This is a sort of secret passage used to access the lands east to west. It will bypass the bridge and take us safely to the Eldin province." She said, her voice echoing eerily off of the walls and rushing water.

Link glanced back at her, their eyes meeting as she offered him a timid smile. He then, for a moment, wondered why this girl had needed to pass under the castle instead of making use of the main roads. Who was she? Why had it been so urgent that she get to Kakariko? He shrugged inwardly and decided that he supposed it did not matter. She had no blood on her. Whoever she was, she deserved a safe passage to where she was trying to go. They rode in silence as they began to notice various pipes attached to the iron brackets in the ceiling pulling water from the river. The girl tightened her grip around Link's waist and he flinched just a bit.

"We're very close, I hope there is some daylight left yet. I really am sorry that I have taken you so far out of your way." She said, over Link's shoulder.

"It's no trouble, lady. Night time out here is a lot different than the day. If you would have come this way on foot, there's no way you would have made it back before sundown...you don't want to be out here alone at night, even if you can use that sword you're carrying." He said.

Roland, after his extended silence called after the two flaxen-haired youths.

"Miss! Young Miss! You are a city dweller, are you not? Do you know what road this is?"

The girl looked back at Roland with a beaming smile.

"Of course, though I think your young friend here does not." She said

Roland let out a nostalgic chuckle.

"Link, this is the old military supply road built by Hyrulean knights over a century ago. my great-grandfather laid the brick on which we now stand."

The girl turned again to Roland.

"Ah, so you're a retired knight are you?"

"That I am, though I may not look it now. Link's father and I defended the capitol during the Northern Invasion when he was about the boy's age." Said Roland.

The girl's eyes flitted to the white bricking for a moment.

"...The Northern Invasion, I hear, was a terrible time in our history." She said

Roland nodded reminiscently.

"Yes, it was. I never quite understood the motivation of the mountain folk. They came from their snowy homes to lay siege to their own capitol. Killing them was a hard, joyless thing. I was badly wounded... I lost many friends. I could barely walk after the war so I was given leave and moved south to Ofaria, of course it was still called Ordon then."

The girl sighed.

"The northners were starving. The conflict sprung from a rash decision made by a young king. The lord of the mountain region had been slipping into madness for years. He bagan to issue open threats of rebellion, and then suddenly declared that he would secede from the rest of the realm. The king unthinkingly cut off trade with the mountain people and they revolted. It was a true tragedy, one that could have been easily prevented…" She said.

Roland nodded, shaking away thre memories that threatened to rise.

"Yes. But in all my years, that was the only error I have ever seen the good king make… I still remember a time when King Daphnes was not the ruler of this kingdom, before he deposed his own great uncle; his father's murderer. The usurper led through fear, and Hyrule was a dark and dangerous place then. Any opposition was swiftly dealt with. I was just a lad, and I saw so many men hang in those years, good men. Still, there were whispers that the young prince that had been banished from the land still lived somewhere in the wilderness. When he finally appeared, my father and the other knights swore our allegiance to him and began the effort to restore our true king. In the end, the usurper lost his head and Hyrule rejoiced. Since then, there's been plenty of bread and beer to go around. The arts and science have florished... and in my humble opion, Hyrule is a glowing example of a golden kingdom." Said Roland, an air of pride in his voice.

He then looked to the girl again.

"Tell me, Lady Amencillia, have you ever seen the king's daughter? They say she is truly the jewel of the Hylian people."

The girl laughed softly.

"Once or twice, she is flesh, just as you."

Roland pulled his smoking pipe along with the matches from his satchel and lit the herb inside it. Its embers glowed vermilion in the dark.

"I hear our princess has been rigorously trained in the arts of weaponry and warfare. Do you know if that is true as well?" He asked through a puff of smoke.

She grinned coyly.

"Quite."

Link sat smiling in his saddle as the two spoke. He had been content just to listen quietly to the conversation as he heard the fervor rising in Roland's voice. Though, as they spoke, Link could see the faint red light of the late afternoon in the distance.

The trio emerged from the cave and began a full sprint across the eastern plain and into the foothills of Death Mountain. The sun was only a few hours from setting as they rode into the small village. Link could see from its piazza the very top of the burning mountain. The girl directed them to a house with black roof tiling and the three of them made their way, careful of the roving cuccos, to the front door. Link dismounted first, and then took the girl's slim waist in his hands and helped her out of the saddle. She pressed lightly on his shoulders as he set her down. She smiled and said her thanks before she turned and pounded loudly on the door. They waited for a few moments as movement could be heard inside the house. The door at last opened and there stood a tall, thin, red-eyed woman with hair the color of snow and various tattoos about her chest and arms. The woman's expression was one of utter relief as the two embraced each other tightly. They spoke then, but in a language Link could not understand, though he could read something of urgency within their tone. Their speech was a dark, smoky, flowing dialect as the strange woman affectionately pressed her hand to the girl's cheek. The girl turned to her traveling companions.

"I do not mean to be rude. I will only be a moment, but I must speak to her alone."

Link nodded.

"It's no problem, miss. Don't worry about us." He said

"Yes, do what you came for Lady Amencillia. We will be here when you're done with whatever errand it was that brought you to this house." Roland chimed.

The girl smiled warmly and took Link's hand, in it she placed a purple rupee.

"For your trouble. There is a tavern at the end of this street. They have good food and ale, please enjoy yourselves, I will not be an hour." She said.

Link looked hesitantly at the jewel in his palm. She closed his fingers for him and gave his hand a light squeeze, then she disappeared into the house.

Link stood, staring curiously at the now closed door, astounded at where the day had led him. Link and Roland tied their horses to the railing outside and started down the street, saddle sore and relieved to walk and stretch their now rather stiff legs.

"Roland?" Link said.

"Yes?"

"What language was that? I've never heard anything like it."

Roland smiled.

"It was Sheikah. I haven't heard it spoken myself in many years. The Shadow Tribe is few these days."

"Shadow Tribe?" Asked Link, his brows furrowing.

"They're the protectors of the royal family, their shadows if you will. Theirs is some of the most ancient lore in all of Hyrule. They are an intriguing people. The fact that the girl spoke their language says much about her schooling." Said Roland.

"She knew her history, didn't she?" Link replied.

Roland chortled.

"As smart as she was beautiful. You should ask her to write to you when we take her back to the city. I saw your eyes when you looked at her… and when Epona didn't try to bite her."

At this, Link laughed loudly and ran his hand through his wind tangled hair.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure her parents would love that. Their daughter getting letters from some random peasant she met in a field... She is beautiful though..." Said Link, the exhaustion now evident in his voice.

He stretched his shoulders. The day had been a long and strange one. Both he and Roland were ready for a cold mug of ale and a spitted cucco.

After her companions had departed for the tavern, the mysterious girl and her strange friend sat on a couch near a cooling fire. The woman poured the girl a cup of a dark, herbal tea and sat down next to her on the brocaded couch.

"Amencillia was it?" She said, a thin smirk pulling her lips.

The girl pressed her hands to her face as if to cool it. She dropped them languidly in her lap.

"I could think of nothing better. I do hate lying… especially to good-hearted people." She said.

The woman set the kettle on the small table before them, lifting scarlet eyes to the girl beside her.

"What are you doing here, Zelda? The fields are infested with monsters; they would have gladly killed and eaten you, or worse." Said the Sheikah woman, gravely.

The girl lovingly gripped both of the the woman's hands.

"Impa, I had to come. I had to know why you left me. My father is mad... there is no sanity at all left in the palace, a mad king commands the guard! I have been little more than a prisoner... My father speaks now only through Master Tairyn. The knights take his word as if spoken from the mouth of the king himself. I... I sense an evil about him as of late...but he has been with us for so long and never before had I felt such an ill-intention. He is Sheikah, one of the last. He knows the weight of the secrets we hold. Why would he now turn against us?"

The girl's breath caught in her throat.

"...Impa, why did you leave me? I have been so alone." Said the desperate princess, tears finally breaking the wall of her porcelain façade.

Impa held the crying girl, rocking her gently.

"I did not leave you Zelda... I was dismissed. I was ordered to leave the castle grounds and stripped of my position as your guardian... I believed it to be a sign of things to come... I have been expecting you princess, just not in the fashion in which you came." She cooed.

Impa softly pulled the gloves from Zelda's delicate hands.

"You were wise to keep this hidden." She said, pointing to the triangular birthmark beneath the girl's knuckles.

"I know… I know the legend… and I bear the mark... so doom will come to us all." Said the princess.

Impa nodded sadly.

"I pray that it is not so. But nearly all of the pieces have been assembled. The marked girl-child of the king, the gathering of the foul folk, brazen upon the hills. The last sign will be the appearance of the hero, who will bear the same mark upon his hand… the Bearer of Courage. When he appears, the war will begin."

Zelda dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief Impa handed to her.

"What should I do Impa? I have been awake for nearly three days, I have read more books on medical studies and curses than I can count. I have found nothing to bring my father to his senses. I fear his death and a great calamity is coming... I have seen it in my dreams… I am lost…" Said Zelda, and her voice cracked under the weight of her dilemma.

"No child, you are not lost. If it is true, and the cycle is beginning again, then surely…"

Zelda only buried her face in her guardian's shoulder and sobbed. Impa held her and let her cry until she fell silent again. As she slid the white wristlets back on to the princess's hands, her heart broke for the young monarch. Zelda pulled away and attempted to regain her composure and Impa brushed away the damp strands of hair from her hot, ruddy face.

"There is one last thing you can do for your father." She said, and stood; walking briskly into the next room. She returned with a small tin. She placed it in Zelda's hand.

"This is a very powerful medicine derived from a holy plant. It has been known to cure mortal wounds and bring madmen to sanity. Perhaps it can heal the king of what ails his brain." Said Impa, sitting again.

"I am at a loss for any other course of action as of now. All we can do is wait, and pray that it is not our time in which the great cataclysm will again occur. Please my dear, remember your training and be safe."

Both Impa and Zelda turned their attention to the door as they heard the voices of the two forest dwellers returning. They stood, and Zelda embraced her guardian once more.

"Thank you, Impa. Please... pray for me and for my father." Said Zelda.

"I will, child. If it comes to pass that what I fear is beginning, flee and find me. I will explain to you what must be done. May the Goddesses go with you." Impa replied.

Zelda gave her guardian a quick kiss on the cheek and then, gathering the tin and her weapon, she left.

The ride back to the city was undertaken in very much the same fashion as the ride from it. The three thundered swiftly to the river passage as the sun finally set behind them, and traversed the cave as they had hours before. Only now, Link felt, there was something troubling his saddle companion more than it had during the ride to Kakariko. While he and Roland had been exchanging jokes and stories, the girl had hardly said a word. As they found themselves once again in the moonlit fields of Lanayru, Link turned and spoke softly over his shoulder.

"Are you alright, miss? You seem kind of upset."

Exhausted, Zelda looked up at the boy.

"No, I am fine. I have not slept in a long time... I'm just a little worn out." She said, forcing a tiny laugh.

Link allowed his concern to subside as much as it was willing, they would have her safely to her bed soon enough and she could sleep; to dream what a strange, beautiful, wandering noble girl would. Though, something still felt amiss in the night air as they approached the spot where they had found the peculiar traveler. Link focused his attention forward, wary of nocturnal animals and other creatures that may have lurked there in the darkened field. Suddenly, he could hear the thunder of many hoof beats on the horizon. Sure enough, about sixteen riders came flying up over the hills, setting upon the three and forming a tight circle around them. As the boy went to draw his sword, in astonishment Link realized that they had been surrounded by the Hyrulean guard; these where knights poised and ready to kill them. Link heard the girl curse harshly under her breath

"What is the meaning of this? We are travelers. We have a young lady with us who we are trying to get home to her family. Let us pass." Roland demanded.

One of the guardsmen, who appeared to be the captain, pranced forward atop a huge, white-gold stallion.

"That young lady you have with you there is your future queen. The Princess, Zelda. We have been searching for her since early this afternoon. Relinquish her, or die." He said.

Both Link and Roland's jaws dropped upon hearing these words.

"Princess Zelda?" Link asked, breathless as he turned to see her face in the rising moonlight.

She sighed and closed her eyes briefly.

"I am sorry to have deceived you." She said, as she slipped off of the saddle.

She walked slowly to the captain though she paused to look back at Link and Roland.

"Amencillia was my mother's name... Thank you both for your help... I wish I could've told you of my plight…" Said Zelda, who with that, strode to the captain atop his stallion.

"Lower your weapons and stand down!" She shouted, and with a wave of her hand the swords were sheathed and the crossbows unloaded.

Link watched, confounded as the pale, golden orchid of a girl suddenly because tall and regal. His mind swam, he had accidentally kidnapped the Princess of Hyrule and was none the wiser.

"Eolan, I want my own horse. I shall ride myself home. I am not a prisoner." Said Zelda.

The captain nodded sharply.

"As you wish, your grace... You two!" He pointed in the direction of two knights at the outer rim of the circle.

"Double up, the princess wants a horse." He commanded.

The two knights looked at each other and shrugged, the smaller of the two dismounted. He gently walked the white-grey horse to Zelda and handed her the reins. He then climbed up onto the saddle of the second knight's stallion which pawed and snorted under their weight. Zelda pulled herself atop her newly acquired mount. She stared at the men who circled her.

"You should be thanking these two. They have done their country far more service today than any of you have done in the past year..." Said the princess.

The captain lifted his visor to glare at her but she only returned his look.

"I meant what I said." She hissed

The captain sneered and slapped his visor down again. Link turned his eyes to Zelda, who met them with a sad gaze.

"I really am sorry, Link. You have my undying gratitude... I... hope to see you again." She said.

Their eyes lingered for a moment longer and Link found that he could not speak. She offered him a half-hearted smile and spurred her horse forward, the guard following close behind. Link watched her go in silence. The two swordsmen stood for a few moments in the moon soaked calm of the field.

"Well," Roland said, mercifully breaking the quiet.

"I suppose you won't be writing to her after all." He said, bursting into loud, mystified laughter.

Link exhaled a breath he seemed to have been holding, bewildered and trying to calm his suddenly very loudly pounding heart as he stared raptly into the distance. Roland looked back at him, his mirth fading when he saw the look the youth wore.

"Come boy, we've got a lot of explaining to do now." He said kindly.