Author's Ramblings: I know. Not midweek. But a lot shorter than last time. I am currently sitting in a swing in this beautiful backyard watching an absolutely blue sky, a rarity in this part of the globe. It finally cooled down enough to think again, so inspiration struck and I answered. Again, thanks to all who have read, especially to those who have reviewed. And in answer to a question, yes I do plan on finishing this story, despite the fact that not many people have reviewed it. I feel as long is there is at least one person out there who is reading, I will finish it. Hope you enjoy reading as much as I have writing. And now, I will shut up and let you get to the part you've been waiting for.
I could tell that the waiting was getting to Zelda. It had been a month, which I know does not sound like a long time. But we were both getting worried that if this situation with Ahenous did not wrap up soon, she would be delivering during a crisis situation. We had expected Ahenous to take the bait soon, and be able to defeat him quickly.
Currently she was pacing up and down the length of our room. I could tell she was being quite and trying not to wake me, but it hadn't worked. We were all on edge, all more than ready for this whole ordeal to be done and over with. I was grateful for the company from our future travelers. Link Arends had proven to have a more than capable military mind, and had been instrumental in formulating our defensive plan. I was surprised that Taryn had never taken advantage of it. Zel's brother had a thirst for power that seemed endless, and it was surprising he had not utilized Link and his mind. Zelda had been delighted with Zel's company. Growing up, both women had limited female companionship, and both had felt the constraints that the society they had lived in placed upon them. Because neither one of them fit the mold that was expected of them, they got along rather well. Both had enjoyed a "kindred spirit" of sorts with whom to talk.
We had all expected Ahenous to make his move. I knew that it would take time for news to reach him of the army's departure, but the more time that passed, the more dangerous our plan. He would have time to gather forces and then we would be powerless to stop him from taking Hyrule.
The bed next to me sank as Zelda rejoined me. I turned and wrapped my arm around her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."
"Shh. It's okay. Go back to sleep." And with that I closed my eyes until morning.
*~*
Zel came and sat down next to her fiancé as he sat on the top of the stones that lined the walkway on the second story of the castle. He was staring out to where the arches looked out over the garden, and the spectacular fountain that reigned in the center. The moonlight reflected off the churning water, making the whole area appear as if the ground and surrounding plants were alive. Zel sat down on the cool stone, mimicking Link's pose with her knees up and arms wrapped around them. The two sat in silence for a while, enjoying the night breeze that was blowing.
"I think I like it here." She finally broke the silence. Link turned to her, a smile coming to his face.
"I'm glad. I thought it would be a bit of an adjustment, but…" He shrugged his shoulders to finish the sentence.
She snuggled closer to him and he draped an arm around her shoulders. "I wish Ahenous would come. Just so we could be finished with this once and for all."
He nodded. "So what should we do after that?"
She smiled up at him. "Well, sir, we do have a small matter to take care of first."
He leaned over and kissed her. "Don't worry. I plan on marrying you the first chance we get."
"Zelda and Impa have been helping me plan. Oh Link. I know I should miss home more, but these people have been so good to us. I think I'm rather glad we ended up here."
He smiled, the worry inside him dying down. The first few weeks they had been here he had felt incredibly guilty, that he had taken Zel away from the life of comfort and royalty that she had known, and placed her in an unknown world filled with danger. Yet they had made friends here, and had the promise of a future together without interference.
They sat a moment together, enjoying the fountain's gurgling amongst the backdrop of stars. "So where are we going to have this ceremony." Link said as he gently rubbed his hand up and down Zel's arm.
"In the temple of time. According to Zelda, it is the traditional place to marry. Especially for the nobility."
"Nobility?"
She looked at him with a bemused look on her face. "Someone obviously hasn't been paying attention in the council meetings."
He glared right back at her. "What, when they start going off on nonsense protocol. Link and I have been putting that time to much better use, for your information."
She smiled. "Well, if you had been listening at the last meeting, you would have heard. You have been made a noble of the realm. Equal in status with any of the ministers on the council. In fact you will be a minister on the council."
Link chuckled lightly. "What is it?" Zel asked.
"I was just thinking about your brother. If we were back home, he would have no objections to our marriage now."
She smiled and snuggled in closer to his shoulder.
"I think we should have a reception here, afterwards." Link surprised Zel. She had assumed his question was asked only out of a desire to please her, not any real interest in wedding details.
"I think that would be a wonderful idea. Link," she moved slightly so her eyes met his, "what should we do after this whole deal is done, and Hyrule is safe?"
"Actually, I've been doing a lot of thinking about that. Link and Zelda have offered us a position. I suppose you could say we would be their second pair of hands. They have decided the kingdom will be too big to run without help. Plus, both want to devote as much time as they can to their baby."
Zel looked up into his eyes that were glowing with excitement. She could tell that he wanted to accept the Prince and Princess's offer, but had waited until she also agreed. "But Link, will you be able to do this. I mean, settle down in the castle?"
"But we won't have to, love. After Ahenous is gone, and the baby is born, Link and Zelda want to take us on a tour of the kingdom, and some of the surrounding kingdoms. One of our main duties will be to run to the outlying areas and act as the King's emissary. We will still get to travel, and have adventures. It will be just like that time we came back from the outlaw's camp, remember?"
"Except that I'll be able to do this." She tilted her head and kissed him. "I think we should accept, Link."
They sat like that for a long time, enjoying the tranquility of the garden and the excitement of a bright future. Eventually, Zel dozed off, leaning against Link's shoulder. He smiled, then picked her up softly in his arms and carried her the length of the corridor to her chamber. Setting her softly on the bed, he wrapped a light quilt about her body, and kissed her temple gently. "Goodnight, love." And he left her then, to seek his own slumber.
*~*
"Prince. Princess." That tapping. Epona was standing in front of me, talking to me. Telling me something about tomorrow's dinner, how she thought we should be serving carrots as the main course instead of roast cucoo. Then her hoof started taping. I thought that was odd (although, why I wasn't surprised at Epona talking to me in the first place, I do not know.) Feeling myself rise to consciousness, Epona disappeared, but the tapping did not stop, it just grew louder. Link's hand gently began to shake my shoulder. "Love, get up. Someone's at the door."
I opened my eyes fully, and could barely make out the outline of his face as he knelt next to my side of the bed, a robe in hand. I took it and draped it about me as he went and opened the door. A page was standing outside, looking very nervous.
"Sire. A man fitting your description was just seen entering the garrison. As instructed, we left him alone but Guay is following him."
"Well done. Go awake Link Arends and Zel. We will need them here at once."
"Already done." Link Arends came running up behind the page, hand in hand with Zel. I was beginning to think that man was like my husband, somehow knowing when danger was approaching before it had been announced. Both of them, while looking tousled, were fully dressed and armed, ready to go. Despite the fact that it was only two in the morning.
"Alright. You all know what to do. Send a page at once to the King telling him to return. Quietly." Link said to the guard and turned towards me. As all three of the others ran off, leaving us alone once more. "Zelda, I love you. Be careful." He gave me a quick, tender kiss on the lips.
I said nothing but kissed him back, before both of us left the room to end the terror of this time traveler once and for all.
