Present

Link, Zelda, Impa, and Commander Xiano of the cavalry sat around the campfire as the soldiers around them set up camp for the night. The men knew that this was the last night they could pass in safety since they were still two days ride from the castle walls, and were making the most of it. While dinner was cooking around several different fires, one of the men had produced a flute and a drum and was presently regaling the soldiers with renditions of traditional Hyrulian battle songs.

"So, how do we do this?" Xiano looked at Link, asking for a plan to take back Hyrule's capital city and castle.

"I will need you to engage as much of the enemy on the field in front of the gates. Hopefully, it will provide enough of a distraction so that one of your men and I can sneak into the castle and find Ahenous. Capture him, and the enemy will have no chance but to surrender.

"No. I will go with you Link." The other three looked in surprise at Zelda. "It makes sense. Out of all of us, I have lived at the castle the longest. And know it the best."

"She is right, sir. And we need every advantage we can get." Xiano looked with admiration at the Princess, his brain trying to replace this new image of her with his previous misconception of a spoiled royal.

"No. You and Impa will remain behind. I know of a family nearby that will.."

"Link. You know I am right. I can take care of myself." She had worked to hard and looked to long to loose this man just as she had found him, and his love again.

He sighed in resignation before leaning forward to kiss her lightly. "

- - - - - -

Past

His breathing was deep and even, his chest rising and falling at a steady rate as I lay there watching him sleep. If he were awake, I am sure he would chide me for staying up, saying that I needed my rest for the task ahead. Yet how can I sleep this night with this fear and premonition that I may never get this chance to watch him sleep again?

He was so brave, so heroic. I could see it in the people's faces today as we walked through town; faces that had given up hope had been renewed at the sight of their hero among them. They would be willing to follow him anywhere, even to their deaths.

I sighed and lay my head back down, trying to sleep as I moved in closer to my husband, all the while wishing I could just take my sword and settle it with this Prince myself. He would probably run at the sight, though. I doubt he wants a wife that knows how to think and act for herself. Link's message had finally been replied to, though not in the same way it had been sent. A courier explained that in the Prince's country, royal marriages must be arranged within noble houses. Since Link was a commoner by birth, our marriage was not recognized. The Prince had sent a personal note, asking why I would stay with such scum that would desert me on my wedding night. Was that man really a man? I had the express pleasure of shredding the note in the man's face, and giving him the proof of my pregnancy to respond to the Prince's charge leveled against Link. Laughing, the man made a rude remark on my virtue, upon which he was kicked out with the gift of a broken jaw, courtesy of my outraged husband.

Realizing sleep was still hopeless, I opened my eyes and realized Link had awakened and was staring back at me. "Can't sleep?"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry I woke you."

He pulled me closer. "This isn't the end. We both will be here watching out grandchildren grow up someday."

Neither of us could sleep after that. We spent the remainder of the night reminiscing old memories and dreaming of new ones.

- - - ******* - - -

Present
Link and Zelda rode together at the front of a fighting force of two hundred mounted men. The noisy clamor of the horse's hooves contrasted with the silence of the people who rode them. Realizing that they were coming close to the castle, Link raised his hand to motion a halt. Riders scurried everywhere; setting up camp while three scouts rode ahead to check on the enemy's position.

Their meal was simple trail fare, eaten cold because fires were now too risky. The camp spread out to settle in for the night. Picketing horses and setting out bedrolls, the army unit gradually began to fall asleep.

Zelda moved her own blankets closer to Link's, and cuddled up next to him. He opened his arm to accept her, and drew it about her.

"Cold?"

"Just a little. And thinking."

"Bout what?"

She was silent for a long time, before lifting her head up from where it rested on his chest to look him in the eye. "Why are we doing this? I mean, what is the point. We are trying to save something that has rejected you, and scorned me. And what can we possibly have if we succeed? Knowing Taryn, you will be banished and I shipped off to marry the next available Prince."

They both fell silent for a moment, considering her words, Zelda feeling more and more helpless, Link trying to form a response.

"We will fight, and we will succeed, because there are too many who count on us. Too many who are innocent and suffer because they must. They have no choice, no choice except to hope that we will come soon to save them."

"You are right as always, my love." She returned her head to its previous position and they again were quiet, listening to the sounds of the camp sleeping and the insects humming.

"Zelda.when this is over." he stopped, unsure of how to continue.

"What?" She said, looking up at him again.

"Marry me." He blurted, then stopped, afraid to say more.

"Yes." She said, her voice steady and eyes shining.

"I know I don't have much, and we will probably have to hid from your brother, but I cannot live without you."

"Oh Link." She drew his head in for a kiss. "That does not matter. Because I cannot live without you either."

- - - - ******* - - - Past

Impa, my father, and I assembled in the tower to watch as our army rode onto the field. I could see Link easily, his green tunic standing out among the sea of armor the other soldiers wore. Our army looked particularly small when compared to the larger invading force. Link turned, and I could see his face scan the ramparts looking for mine. I ran out of the tower to the nearby wall, yelling his name and waving. He saw me and smiled, promising me with his eyes once again that he would return to me, safely. Turning again, he raised his hand and with that signal, our warriors gave a loud roar and charged forward, eager to defend their home, families, and country.