A/N: Okay, guys... It's the moment you've all been waiting for...
Skywise: The last chapter?
YES!!!
Redlance: YAY!!!! THE LAST CHAPTER!!!
Link: I'm sick with joy... ACHOO!!
XD Hey, Link made a funny!
Link: :D
Here it is! Yayness!!!
Before it All Began: Chapter 8: Together Forever
A week passed slowly. Ian was swiftly executed, and all was well now. Or so it seemed.
Zelda began to avoid Link, telling him she was still thinking it over. The more she said this, the more heavy-hearted Link grew. But remembering the wise words of Impa, Link never gave up hope. They'd be together soon, he could feel it.
His seventeenth birthday quickly came. There was a big ritual in which he finally regained his beloved sword back. Inside the Temple of Time, all the Sages had gathered to bliss the sword and its wielder in good will whatever may come. Finally, Rauru, Sage of Light, placed the Master Sword in Link's hands. The Hero of Time was born again.
Later on, the castle held a grand ball in honor of this great event. Everyone invited mingled and were simply enjoying themselves. Everyone, except Link. He sat alone by a large window and stared out into the night sky. He had waited for this day for a long time, yet now he didn't seemed as thrilled as everyone thought he would be. Darunia noticed him and approached his Sworn Brother.
"Come on, Brother!" he said cheerfully, slightly startling Link. "Join the celebration! After all, it's you we're celebrating!"
Link smiled slightly, but shook his head. "Thanks, but no thanks, Darunia. You go ahead."
Darunia crossed his strong arms and looked him over closely, completely understanding. "It's that bad, eh, Brother?"
Link sighed. "What am I going to do, Darunia?" he asked desperately. "I can't court Zelda! That's crazy! I want her to decide for herself, not because I kiss up to her. But... I-I need her...like green growing things need water..."
Darunia smiled. "Well, Zelda's still young yet. Joining scares her. But don't worry, I've got reason to believe your troubles aren't as bad as you think."
Before Link could disagree, Zelda herself slowly and hesitantly approached the two.
"Well, hello, Princess!" Darunia greeted. "We were just talking about..."
"That's nice," Zelda interrupted. She wanted to waste no time as she approached Link and softly said, "Link... we need to talk. In private."
Link gave a silent nod before he stood, taking her hand. They stepped out into the night air, briefly leaving the party. Darunia smiled.
The two stepped out into the courtyard, which was nice and quiet compared to the party inside. Zelda knew they would be out here for a long while, so she had already given orders to Impa when to send everyone home. She had something planned for Link if all went well...
They sat together on a stone bench. Behind them sat a flowing fountain with water that seemed to glow as it reflected the moon and starlight above. The two gazed at each other for quite some time before either one of them spoke.
Finally, Zelda sighed, lowering her gaze in a guilty fashion. "Link... I want to say first of all that I'm sorry for avoiding you these past few days..."
"Zelda..." A gentle hand caressing her face and her softly-spoken named told Zelda that she had already been forgiven. "I just want to know why you're so hesitant. I thought you wanted us to join..."
"Oh, Link, I do, I really do," she said sincerely, but softly sighed. "It's just that..."
"Yes?"
Zelda brought her gaze up until she locked eyes with Link. "After experiencing the outside world, I now understand what life is like for you out there. If we marry, you'll have to stay at the castle... You're like a free bird, Link, and... I don't want to keep you here, away from the outside, like a cage..."
She lowered her head in shame. Link softly smiled, gently gripping her chin and lifting her head until their eyes locked once more.
"Zelda... I wouldn't worry... I can accept change if it means I get to be with you. I'd do anything to spend the rest of my life with you."
Zelda couldn't help but smile.
"Besides," Link added. "We won't be stuck in the castle anymore. It was Ian who kept you inside, and he's gone now, remember?"
Zelda's face brightened softly. "Oh, yes, I forgot." She giggled, only to stop when Link's expression suddenly became more serious. He took her hands in his.
"Zelda, I promise, I will never, ever treat you the way Ian did," he promised. "I won't ever degrade you like that, ever. Cross my heart and hope to die."
Zelda smiled and wrapped her arms around him, leaning on his warm body. His presence alone comforted her, and all her doubts washed away. Finally deciding that Link would become her prince made her that much happier.
Then she remembered: she had something planned for him if all went well, and it did.
"You know, Link..." she spoke softly. "With all the time I spent thinking, I never got you a gift for your birthday."
"Zelda, this moment alone is the greatest gift of all," Link replied softly. "I've waited so long for this..."
"Well, if that be the case..." Zelda slowly drew away, smiling up at Link affectionately. "There's a part two to your gift, if you're interested."
"Oh, there is, now?" Link said interestedly.
"Yes," Slowly, she stood. "Link, have you ever heard of 'sending?'"
Link gave her a questioning look and shook his head.
"Sending is the ability to communicate mentally and share your most inner thoughts. It can bond people closer together spiritually. Only magic users have the ability. However..." she grasped his left hand, pulling him up on his feet and showing him the Triforce marks on the backs of their hands. "Since we are bound together by the Triforce, I can give you the ability to send. Would you like me to?"
Link nodded expectedly. "So how does this process start?" he asked innocently.
Zelda smiled affectionately, drawing away and beginning to remove her glove. "Well... you must remove everything material-like off your person. The process must be pure, without the obstruction of personal belongings."
Link didn't question this as he began to remove his tunic first. But as he had his shirt halfway off, he froze in realization. He looked at Zelda as her dress flopped elegantly down onto the grass below her bare feet. A warm smile was on her face.
-Now...- she whispered in a send as their faces came closer and closer once again. -The joining begins.-
Their lips finally met, and they shared their first kiss. Zelda laced her fingers behind his neck, gently removing his long hat and leather ties. His long hair drooped over his bare shoulders, but neither of them cared for that matter. Both Link and Zelda were oblivious to all but their own enflamed senses.
They stood in a dance of joining until they settled on the soft, welcoming grass and brought a wool blanket over themselves, concealing themselves from the rest of the world.
Perhaps it was the calmness of the courtyard.
Perhaps it was the fact that they were alone.
Whatever it was, it was the most magical thing either of them had ever experienced before. And it went on until they fell asleep in each other's arms, completely content...
Morning came, and there was still no sign of those two. Impa wasn't worried, though; she had a feeling of what had happened.
The Sheikah stepped into the courtyard, searching for the two. She quickly came upon scattered clothes and belongings in the grass, and knew her assumption was right.
"Good morning, Impa," A familiar voice greeted. She looked over a rock that concealed Link and Zelda from view. The two were wrapped closely in a blanket, and in each other's arms. Zelda, who had just spoken, smiled. "Link and I are here to... watch the sun rise."
Impa smiled. "So I see."
A few minutes later, the two had gathered their clothes and redressed themselves. Impa, swiftly noticing the beautiful diamond ring on Zelda's finger, smiled at the new couple.
"So, you two are officially joined now..." she sighed in happiness.
-Yes, indeed, Impa.- A faint send spoke.
Impa straightened up in surprise. "Link! Did you just send!?"
"Yes, Impa," Zelda answered. "I gave him the ability to last night. We discovered we made a Bond-send as well!"
"Really?" Impa said quite interestedly. "And you two aren't even recognized!"
"Recognized?" Link asked in confusion. "What's that?"
"Recognition is when two souls destined for each other meet and immediately form a strong bond, whether they know it or not. The bond is very powerful, and there's nothing either one of them can do but accept it."
"Sounds harsh." Link commented.
"Yes, but sometimes it may be a blessing, depending on the situation."
"But how do we know we aren't recognized?" Link asked, still quite confused.
"Oh, you know," Impa answered. "Most common people don't know it, but every living person has a 'soul name,' a secret name that guards a soul's most private self. Two recognized souls would exchange each other's soul name, making the bond form as strong as it does."
Link nodded, finally understanding as he replaced his hat back on his head.
"I wouldn't worry, though. There are many couples who never recognized, yet live in a normal relationship," Impa smiled. "So you two are on the right track."
At this, Link and Zelda gazed at each other fondly. They had no sacred bond, but that didn't matter. They had each other, and that's all they wanted.
A little later, Impa went off to wake the servants who prepared the meals, leaving the couple alone as they gazed out Zelda's bedroom window together.
"Recognition sounds most comfortable," Zelda voiced her opinion on the subject before. "I hope I never have to go though it..."
"Me neither," Link smiled. "Love is much more pleasant. And like Impa said, we don't need recognition to be together."
-Indeed,- Zelda answered in a bond-send. -I'm just happy we have each other.-
-Me too.- He held Zelda close to him. The two sat in each other's embrace until the door opened, and a semi-nervous soldier stood outside in the hall.
"Yes? What is it?" Zelda asked.
"A letter for you, Your Highness," He bowed and held out a letter. Zelda stood and as soon as she took it, he left. As she opened and read it, Link stood himself and looked at it curiously.
"What is it, Zelda?"
"It's a Request from Roslanda, one of our neighboring countries. They wish to sign a treaty with us. It says they'll send the prince in a few months."
"Well, that should be interesting..." Link commented.
Little did he know how right he would be.
AND THE REST IS HISTORY...
A/N: DO NOT FLAME ME FOR THIS CHAPTER OR I WILL SERIOUSLY HURT YOU!!!!
Redlance: Yeah, she'll probably sic Wolfie on you or something...
Link: (all dreamy) Nnniiiiiiice... l)
Skywise: -.-;;;
Well, I'm done! Yay! Now I can continue the next story in Florence Chronicles!
Skywise: FINALLY!!
Redlance: So review, people!
Link: (still all dreamy) Nnnniiiiiiiiiiiiice... l)