Forbidden Love
Chapter 2: King Marth

Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda, and the song from chapter one is copy write to the makers and the creators of Sailor Moon. But I DO own this story and this plot!! Do not say this story is yours; it is now copy write to me!! They are all adults in this story, as you know.

"Goodbye Princess." Link whispered, just outside the castle with Zelda. Zelda shuddered in his arm's, trying to hold back tears.
"Never goodbye...please don't say goodbye. It sounds to...final..." Zelda whispered, her lips inches from Link's, trembling but not crying as a single tear slid down her beautiful cheek. It pained Link to see Zelda cry, but they both knew they had to do this. They had to say goodbye. It was for Hyrule, no matter how they themselves felt.
They shared one last kiss, and then Zelda pulled away. She backed away from Link a few steps, then turned and ran away from him as fast as she could go, running back to her horse and swinging up upon it, riding hard toward the castle. She let the tears fly, then took a deep breath and sat tall.
As she entered she told everyone who asked that the meeting went fine and let the stable boy help her off her horse and put it away. Through the day she kept her emotions numbed, burying herself in legal documents and other work that needed to be done around Hyrule. It wasn't until she laid in her giant bed; wrapped in the finest silks in the land all alone that night that what was happening hit her. She turned over and slid out of bed, gliding across the floor to her balcony window, the silk of her extravagant nightgown fluttering about her.
As Zelda slowly opened the curtains she was bathed in moonbeams, streaming into the room. Her face glittered as the moonlight reflected off of the tears on her face and in her eyes. She opened the doors of the balcony and walked out into the chill night, gazing down over the land below. Before this sight, her land stretching out below her, bathed in moonlight, sent chills of pleasure down her spine. But now, it only brought pain and more tears. She walked over to the edge of the balcony and gripped it so tightly that her knuckles went white. But she had cried enough.
As her sparkling blue eyes went to the forest Zelda felt his presence, soft and faint. It was traveling out of the forest, heading to the castle. When it was almost there it turned, as if headed toward the lake. Zelda could feel her heart pound; she could almost feel his arms around her, his lips pressing against hers, his hands running over her back, sliding under her shirt. She shivered, remembering the night before. How empty her bed looked tonight. How empty her life looked, how empty she looked.
Zelda turned, almost feeling Link's eyes turned toward her, feeling her presence just as she felt his, and went back to her bed. She laid in her empty bed for many hours until she finally fell asleep because of exhaustion. That night she dreamt of being together with Link, then watching, helpless, as he was strapped in the guillotines, watching as his head fell into the basket.

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Zelda woke the next morning screaming Link's name, her body covered in cold sweat. Servants and her most trusted advisors surrounded her bed. Impa ran to Zelda's side and touched her forehead. "Princess Zelda, are you alright?" Impa asked. Zelda pushed her hand away, sighing. "Yes, Impa, I am fine. It was just a bad dream. You may all leave now." Her words where more of a command than a suggestion. They took the hint and left, everyone but Impa.
"You're not ok." She said, matter-of-factly, her arms crossed over her breast. Zelda ignored her and got dressed. Impa grabbed Zelda's tiara as she was about to place it on her forehead, frowning. "You where not in another country last night, so my scouts tell me. In fact you where with Link. I do not think I have to say what you did last night." She frowned as Zelda sighed.
"Yes Impa, as always you are right. I snuck out to stay with Link. We where saying goodbye." Tears sparkled in Zelda's eyes, but did not fall. She had cried enough. She had to be strong. It was then that Impa noticed the sacks under Zelda's eyes, and the redness from crying in them. Her vision softened. "You love the Hero of Time, don't you Zelda?" Impa smiled as Zelda nodded, realizing how hard the princess was trying not to let tears fall. She touched her arm, sympathetically. "I do not know what I can say, because truly I do not know the pain you are going through, but I will keep your secrets, as I always have. You may talk to me."
Impa waited, instead of moving to leave. Zelda sighed. "And is there more?" she prompted. Impa nodded. "A man from Harnain is here to see you, Prince Marth. He wants your hand in marriage, as they all do." Zelda only nodded, understanding her duty. She had to become Queen and choose a prince to be her King. Impa placed the tiara upon Zelda's head and bowed. "He is waiting in the main hall for your presence at breakfast." And with that she led Zelda down to the breakfast hall.

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Impa and Zelda paused outside the hall. Impa patted Zelda's arm and squeezed the Princess's hand. Zelda took a deep breath, plastering a fake smile on her face and straitening her dress. The doors where flung open before them and everyone inside bowed low for the future Queen of Hyrule. At the head of the table, opposite Zelda, sat a tall man with brown hair much like Link's and knowledgeable brown eyes wearing lavishly adorned shoulder armor attacked to a black cape. He was devilishly handsome, but not as handsome as Link in Zelda's eyes.
The prince stood and walked over to Princess Zelda, bowing low as he took her hand and kissed it. "Princess, you grace us all with your gorgeous presence." He said, his voice deep and powerful, yet gentle. But, not as impressive as Link's voice. Zelda curtsied, very aware of all the eyes following her every move like hungry wolves. "The pleasure is mine, Prince Marth." She said, standing tall and looking strait into his eyes. He smiled, then bowed once more and helped Zelda into her chair, like any gentleman would, then sat down at his place. Everyone sat once Marth sat, Impa having disappeared to watch from a distance, like all Sheikah's did.
The dinner went fine, Zelda numbed all her emotions, smiling falsely and laughing falsely. Marth was the perfect man, funny handsome, strong, and a prince. But all Zelda saw was another prince wanting her hand in marriage, another man who was not Link.
Throughout the course of the week Prince Marth took Zelda on midnight rides, quiet dinners, peaceful strolls, proving himself to be everything he was said to be. It was all a test to Zelda. She was measuring him to see if he would rule her country fairly, putting him through small, unnoticeable tests. At night she stood on her balcony, alone, and followed Link with her heart, feeling his presence as he walked around near the castle at nights.
Finally, one star lit night, Prince Marth proposed, and Zelda accepted. It was announced to Hyrule the next day; everyone was there. Including Link. Their eyes did not part throughout the whole ceremony. Zelda could feel the pain in him as he turned from her and walked away. She breathed deep and did not cry, letting her heart die a little more. The wedding was a month later. Link arrived for the first half, but did not stay for the party afterward. They did not talk to each other, as they could have. It would have been too much for the both of them. Marth and Zelda where crowned King Marth and Queen Zelda of Hyrule and wished a long and happy rein.
That night, as Zelda and Marth slept together in their royal chamber, a bird flew to the balcony outside. Zelda carefully got out of bed and opened it, letting the bird hop onto her finger. It was then Zelda noticed the note tied to its leg. She untied the note and thanked the bird as it flew away. Zelda hesitated before opening it, then opened it hurriedly. It was from Link.

Dear Queen Zelda,

I am leaving. I don't know where I am going, but I cannot stay in Hyrule. No matter where I travel I can always feel your presence. It is driving me crazy with longing for you! I wanted to stay until you where crowned queen so that I knew you would be ok. I wish you and King Marth a long a happy rule. Please don't forget me. I love you...you are and will always be my only love...

With all my love,
Link

P.S. If you ever need me, I will come...I am forever yours...

Zelda's tears fell onto the letter in her shaking hands. She instantly quieted herself and went to her closet. She went to the back to a stone where she kept her most valuable things, things she would hide from her husband. She placed it inside, alongside the ocarina of time, a painting of her and Link as kids, and a few other things. She made sure it was safely closed before Zelda went back to bed, wrapping her arms around herself, letting silent tears stream down her face. It was then that Zelda felt the last bit of her heart that still held love die. She was forever changed; forever empty without her hero.

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end chapter 2.