Author's Note: This chapter is also short, as I'm sure you can see. Again, I apologize for this. It comes to me slowly. Hopefully, there will be more soon. As previously stated, leave a review if you like. If you don't want to, I understand. Any compliments or criticisms are greatly appreciated. I love to hear what my readers think. I do not own copyrights to The Legend of Zelda or it's characters. I could never hope to. Enjoy.

Zelda immediately stood and headed out of the throne room when the young man left. Impa watched the Princess with puzzled eyes. Whatever could be bothering her? All throughout the halls of the castle there was activity. Soldiers ran this way and that, gathering personal effects and things their commanders requested. A man about Zelda's age bumped into her and dropped his things. He apologised profusely, but she barely noticed. Her mind was not with her. What if we are unsuccessful in fighting off Ganondorf's army? What will happen to my people? What will become of me? Unwelcome images flooded her mind. Zelda had never seen the horror of battle. Needless to say, she had been sheltered for her entire life, safely kept away from reality. But she had heard stories. Things she wasn't supposed to hear. Masses slaughtered. Fatherless children. Entire villages burned to the ground. They were hellish rumours, and Zelda didn't want that sort of thing to happen to her kingdom. She made her way to the dining hall for breakfast, hoping to find solace in the familiarity of food. The Princess entered the massive room and sat alone at the table, servants waiting on her hand and foot. She decided to think on other matters for the moment. The young man who had saved her friend, Link his name had been. What an odd coincidence that the image she had dreamed up would fit him so precisely. In a perfect world she could call it fate. However, as things stood... She didn't know anything about him. He did seem nice, but who would be rude to royalty? She could order anyone's head lopped off, and it would be done within the hour. No. She wanted to know him better. Perhaps lunch would prove to serve her well. Yes. It would be just the two of them. No distractions.

After breakfast Zelda made her way to her quarters to find an outfit to wear. She would be seeing her father off in a matter of hours and it was appropriate that she be dressed in the proper garb. Her wardrobe was filled with long, expensive gowns. Blue velvet, white silk, pink satin, purple chiffon, and much more. She rifled through the menagerie of fine garments, searching for just the right thing. Finally she decided on a long, purple dress made of silk with a dipped neckline and long, draping sleeves. Zelda carefully pulled it from the wardrobe so as not to step on it accidentally. She laid it down her bed and began to disrobe. As she pulled the ties open on the back of her bodice, her mind began to wander. His hands slowly pull on the ribbons of her dress, unleashing her caged form. The velvet falls away as he kisses her neck and down to her shoulders, his fingers gliding over her snowy white skin. He reaches around to the front, cupping her breasts, gently caressing. He straightens himself and breathes softly into her ear, nibbling on her lobes. "You are so beautiful, Zelda..." His words are smooth like honey and she turns. Their lips meet in passionate repose. She can feel his body growing hot and alert against hers, eager to know her better...

Zelda pulled on the fresh gown and decided to leave her thoughts at that for the time being. She made her way down to the courtyard where the ranks were assembling. Men were arranging themselves into flanks as generals shouted orders. Others practiced their sword work, preparing their technique for battle. Normally, they would stop and bow as she passed, but the atmosphere was tense and feverish, hurried. Passing, she caught the eye of one soldier, who stared at her for a moment. Zelda saw the fear in his eyes. He was young, younger than her. After a moment, he averted his gaze and returned to his duty. Uncomfortably, she continued on her way to the castle infirmary. When she arrived, the women in white allowed her access to the room immediately. She sat by her friend's bedside and watched her sleep. The bruises on Catherine's face looked deeper, somehow, her face paler than the previous day. She called over one of the attendents.

"How long has she been like this?" asked the Princess.

"Since late last night, your Majesty."

"What is wrong with her?"

"She has developed a fever. Some unworldly evils are at work in her. Never seen anything like this in no one brought here before." Zelda glanced around the room.

"Black magic?" she whispered.

"It seems possible," the nurse whispered back. Zelda turned back to Catherine and watched her with concern. Black magic? Who? No one in Hyrule was allowed to practice it within bounds of the current law. Her thoughts were interrrupted by an argument outside the door of the infirmary.

"You must let me in!"

"I must ask you to keep your voice down, Sir!"

"If you will not allow me access this way, so help me, I will fight my way in! I must see her!"

Zelda rose from her friend's bedside and went to check things out for herself. She marched over to the heavy doors and flung one open. There was Link, arguing with one of the women in white.

"Is there a problem, here?" Zelda asked. The other two stopped and were silent. She turned to Link. "Were you needing to see someone?" she inquired. He bowed. "Yes, my Lady. I was wishing to see Catherine." Zelda was somewhat taken aback by the fact that he knew the handmaiden's name. "Y-yes. I see. Of course you may see her." She stood back and allowed him entrance. Link thanked her and rushed to the girl's bedside. He sat next to her and took her hand, kissing it, which was most unorthodox bahaviour. Zelda came up behind him, shocked.

"So... I will still see you at noon for tea?" Link broke from his fixed gaze and looked her way, somewhat in surprise. "Yes, Your Highness, of course." Zelda nodded and left the room, a sort of numbness working its way to the soles of her feet. He knew Catherine? The Princess went to the private garden in the center of the castle. She sat down on a bench and stared down at the grass. Was it possible that Link had been involved with Catherine? The thought was shocking to her, and appauling all the same. Catherine was her best friend, in a way. Yet, she was still a servant. Servants were... Well, some members of the upper class saw them as sub-human. Uncultured, rough. Zelda didn't quite see it that way, but she didn't see servants as quite on her level, either. No matter how well-meaning, she was still royalty, and therefore priviledged. The royals were ordained by the Goddesses themselves. They were just... better. She was better. Oh, stop it. She thought to herself. You're going overboard. You know nothing about this person. He could just be very concerned about her wellbeing. They could even be related for all you know. Don't jump to conclusions. It wasn't wise to assume things. She had found out the hard way that it could put a person in much trouble.

Thoughts of the war began to cloud her mind, driving anything else out. Zelda had a feeling that the attacks on her servants and wards had a connection to the war in the west. She could feel it in her gut. What could it be? The Princess had heard the General with her father mention spies. Perhaps there were operatives within the kingdom capturing servants. Servants often overheard things that they weren't supposed to. Everyone knew that. A house servant could provide desperate individuals with much sought-after information in a pinch. Of course, it could merely be a case of common muggery. That was not beyond reason. In fact, it was probable. The hour grew close to noon, and Zelda realized that the armies would be departing soon, if things were going as planned. She had told Link to meet her for lunch at the same time. Well, I guess he'll have to wait. Zelda stood from her bench and headed down the cold, stone hallways. Soon the crown would be transferred to her head. In the event of her father's death, she would be alone. I must be brave. I must be stong. They all rely on me. Even at the thought, Zelda's heart shuddered, and she could already feel the weight on her shoulders.