Author's note: This chapter is short, but short and sweet. Without it, the story wouldn't progress, so I hope you guys like it!

The Hero that Holds my Hope: Marching on

The king of Hyrule was discussing matters with his lords and other nobles. They had received word of armies heading toward them and far off, where Ganondorf lay, more armies are gathering. They did not have enough men for this situation.

"We cannot hold them off with a mere number of 300 men, it is completely out of the question!" One of the lords shouted.

"Yes, but what men can we gather?" Another said.

Another of the lords looked up from the table, his face was grim, as though it had been tainted with a certain sadness and worry.

"It seems we have no choice, milord." He said, "We must gather the men in the villages and ranches, and every weapon capable for battle. Also, we could catch up with Link if we are quick enough."

The others were very shocked by this, the same lord who had shouted, shouted yet again, "Are you mad?!? They have no experience in battle!"

"This is not yours or my manner, it is the king, so we await his decision."

The king looked up he had sighed deeply, a certain seriousness was in his face and he was only thinking for the better of his kingdom.

"By order of the king, every strong man and boy must go into battle." The soldier said, "As for the rest, the villages must empty, we make for the mountain tops."

The crowds were murmuring, some families were crying. Wives were clinging onto their husbands and mothers tearing on their sons. The people immediately had sorrow in their eyes, knowing the fact that if the men even survived, they would never see each other again. Only a chosen few men, who were not capable in battle, would accompany the women, to keep the blood of Hyrule alive.

Surprisingly, at Lon Lon Ranch, Ingo and Talon were summoned to battle and Malon was to be sent on the mountain tops.

"I will not abandon you, father!" Malon said teary eyed, "I cannot travel to the mountain tops without you, I shall follow you."

"Malon, please..." Talon replied to her.

Ingo was quite prepared, he was the type of person who didn't care about his life, and he blindly charged into dangerous matters. He gathered each and every weapon he could find.

"I refuse. I want to go with you." Malon said as she folded her arms.

Agreeing with her stubbornness, Talon nodded and managed to get her to ride with them however, he made her promise that he would not go into battle, only ride with them. Agreeing with that bargain she joined along. Like the age long ago, the people watched their families leave.

On the fields, the people who were to be sent to the mountain tops had made a path of flowers for them. Zelda was there as well. She was hooded and cloaked in a navy blue velvet robe and her locks flowed in front of her on the sides of her face. As she tossed the flower down, she thought of Link and wished he were there, she wished she could have seen him at least one last time.

As the army made up of people who were born to be soldiers and people who were merely summoned passed over, the others watched them disappear on the horizon. Soon they would have to leave for the high places. However, Zelda did not want to, no matter what the circumstances. A shard of hope remained in her heart for Link, a certain piece just for him, and because of that, she wouldn't move from Hyrule.

Author: Did you like it? This is probably one of the lesser chapters, but trust me, it gets REALLY good with the next one... (fluff is coming... Oh, yes... lots of fluff...) REVIEW!

Special thanks:

Brownblade: WEE! I hope you liked this chapter too! Thanks for the review, even if it was short!

snoboardr: Reading reviews ROCKS MY SOCKS, DUDE!!! THANKS!!! Keep reviewing!

BluSakura: You can put all the exclamation marks you want... see? I love them too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know why, but I like picking on Phantom Ganon. In one of my very first romance fic Phantom Ganon was the enemy. THANKS!

LadyofDemons45: WOW... 27 chapter Inu-Yasha story... that's a lot for a fan fiction... and I could very well see why the author was VERY happy. Thanks for the review and I hope you liked this chapter!