Chapter 6: Revealing a Story

"'My Lady, I shall always be at your service. Forever shall you need me,' Prince Link said, 'Thank you so much, my dear prince. I am so grateful for your presence. But I fear that I may distract you from your kingdom, from your life,' Princess Rosemarie worried. 'Fear not, for you shall also become part of my life, if that is, you so wish to marry me?'. 'Oh, my prince, you have done me such an honor. Yes, I will.' And the prince grinned and took his princess into his arms, and lifted her face to look at him. 'May we live happily together.' 'Yes, my prince, together forever.' Link smiled and kissed his princess, and they lived happily ever after.'"

The prince grinned as he read the final part of the book. He had been smiling the whole way through. Rosemarie had a wonderful imagination. He wanted to read every part over and over again. However, when he looked up, he saw Rosemarie running towards him. He grinned and her, and in surprise, she tripped and fell...

Rosemarie hurried as fast as she could to the tree. He couldn't let him read the last chapter. Her wish, her dreams, had all been incorporated into that story. That was why it was in a diary. But the last part was her latest fantasy, something she wanted above all else but would never happen. But when she got nearer, she realized he was reading the last few pages, and her heart almost stopped. Even worse, he looked up and gave a wide grin, looking extremely cute. She skipped a beat and stepped on her dress, pulling her to the ground. Zelda was the first to reach her.

"Rosemarie! Are you okay?" Rosemarie moaned as she got up.

"I'm fine. It's just my clumsiness."

"That's good. I didn't want you to knock out in front of...him." Zelda stopped as Link walked toward them, diary in his hand.

"I hope you are not hurt," he said. Rosemarie almost yelped.

"Oh, your Highness, I'm fine, your Highness." Link arched an eyebrow. "Uh...Link?"

"Well, I must say that your story is very intriguing." Link grasped Rosemarie's hand and helped her to her feet. "You have an amazing talent, Rosemarie." She blushed scarlet.

"Oh, um, thank you...Link." Link smiled as he handed her the diary.

"Are you planning to stop there, or is there more?"

"Um...there...was...um...supposed...to...um...you see...I want...to write...an epilogue but I don't know if...I'll get to it..."

"Well, if you ever do, you must let me read it. You will, Rosemarie?"

"Yes...of course."

"Good, I look forward to it. And, Zelda, do you write stories, by any chance?"

"No, I wish I could, but I don't have that talent." Rosemarie envied her. She didn't stutter like Rosemarie had.

"But you must enjoy some talent or another?"

"I hardly would call reading a talent, Link."

"Do you have any other hobbies?"

"None, really."

"Rosemarie?"

"Riding horses."

"Cool! I love riding horses too. Would you like to meet mine?"

"Of course, that...would...be so awesome, your...Link." Zelda cringed, but no one noticed. Link took out an instrument shaped like an oval, with holes running down the side and a pipe to blow into.

"An ocarina! I haven't seen many of these," Zelda cried.

"My mother taught me how to play; she taught me this really good song that Epona always answers to." Link played Epona's song, and the notes drifted into the air. They were so beautiful; neither of the girls had ever heard such a beautiful song. When it ended, they heard a neigh from the distance. A brown horse with a white mane rode up to Link. Zelda backed up a few steps.

"This is Epona. Epona, this is Rosemarie." Epona nudged the raven-haired girl. She lightly petted the horse on the nose. "This is Zelda." The horse neared Zelda, but she backed away.

"Please, Link. I'm not fond of animals..." Link grasped his mare's reigns.

"Sorry." Zelda lowered her eyes. She knew how much he liked horses, and any other animal. So did Rosemarie. But ever since Rosemarie had taken her into the Lost Woods, she couldn't think of animals again. She had gone astray from the path and wound up in the middle of the forest. It was dark and all the animals sneered and drooled at her sight. She had been terrified of even the common house cat since. Rosemarie was very fond of animals and had tried on many occasions to show her an assortment of calm animals. It didn't work.

"Well, I think I better go home. My mother will be waiting," Zelda said, her eyes somewhat on the ground. She left in a hurry. Link couldn't tell if she really had to go, or if it was an excuse to get away from Epona. But when he looked at his pocket watch, it was almost dinner time. He looked back at Rosemarie. She was standing arms folded as she watched her friend leave. A few minutes passed and neither moved. Finally, Link spoke up.

"May I escort you to your market, since I have to go there anyway?"

"Um...uh..." Rosemarie turned to face him. She was even more nervous since she was alone.

"Please?"

"Um...sure...I guess..." Link took her hand and helped her onto the horse. He sat down behind her. He handed Rosemarie the reins.

"Why don't you do the honors," he said. She smiled and took the reins. Soon, they were galloping toward the castle. As Epona's pace quickened, Link slipped his arms around Rosemarie's waist. She gasped silently and almost dropped the reins. Rosemarie wished the ride would never stop, but soon they had passed the gates just as they closed behind the pair. In the market, Link helped Rosemarie dismount.

"Bye, Rosemarie," he said as he kissed her cheek and rode back to his castle. She watched him until he disappeared.

"Bye..."