Hey! Thanx for leaving reviews! I appreciate every one of em! So keep em coming…

___________________________________________________________________________

CHAPTER 7

Family Reunions

Zelda woke up early in the morning, greeted by a dark, cave-like dungeon. She had escaped this through her dream and now she was alone again. Sorrow filled her. The dream had lasted until she woke up, yet she already missed the feeling of Link holding her.

Link was on his way though. 'I hope he gets here soon, before Dark Link wakes up', she thought. Now she remembered what Link had said.

"Use your power if he tries to hurt you". His voice sounded in her head. He had such a nice voice. It was so gentle and sweet. She loved it. Thinking of him made her feel better.

Someone was outside the room now. She could hear the footsteps. Zelda got nervous and stood up. Dark Link entered the room. "It is time for breakfast, princess.", he announced. "Come with me." He grabbed her hand and led her to the dinning room.

She didn't pull back or do anything to stop him. ' Maybe if he gets me near the exit, I can find my way out.', she thought. She looked around anxiously, but there was no sign of the exit being close.

They entered a dinning room. A small table was in the middle that could only fit four. Someone was already sitting in one of the seats, but his back was turned so she couldn't see who it was. She had an idea though.

She was right, but she gasped in horror anyway to see that Gannondorf was sitting down at the table. He looked even more sickly green than she remembered him to be. Now his skin was more of a pale green than dark. His hair was as red as it had been and his grin was as evil as ever.

"So, we meet again, Zelda.", he said. "It's a shame that I haven't seen you since,… well, you could call it a lifetime. I'm glad to have woken up from my dreadful coma to see you have arrived. " He motioned them to sit down. They did.

"How has your alternate life been going for you?", he asked. "I'm sure there is no evil whatsoever there. Just proves that you and Link are cowards. Don't you think?", he asked Dark Link.

"Very much so.", he responded. "But, I can't say how happy I am that the princess came back home. Oh, how I dearly missed her." He stroked Zelda's hair, and kissed her on the cheek. She sat in disgust.

Just then, one of the monster guards came in. "Master,", he said with all sincerity possible. "There is an intruder just outside our walls."

Once Zelda heard that, she was filled with hope. He was here. Thank god, or um.. I mean.. goddesses he was here. Soon she would be with him again. She couldn't help but smile in a "told you so" way.

Although she was greatly happy of the news, she had to be the only one that was. Gannondorf's face now filled with anger, he made a fist. "I cannot fight! I am weak.", he yelled, mad at himself that he had been ill.

"I will take care of him, Master.", Dark Link suggested. Gannondorf nodded in agreement. He smirked at Zelda. "Your coming with me."

They made there way to the entrance hall to see Link fighting off one of the guards. "Long time no see.", Dark Link interrupted.

Link took one last swipe to the guard as it fell and died, then he looked up. "Zelda,", he said relieved. "are you okay?"

"I'm fine", she said. She tried to run towards him, but was cut short by Dark Link pulling her back to him. He held her tight against him so she couldn't escape. She tried to pull free, but he was way too strong. Now he decided that he wanted to play head games with Link. He took Zelda and kissed her.

She couldn't stand him. There was no way to get out from his grasp. She could do nothing, but be handled by him like a rag doll.

Link didn't like this either. He was filled with anger and charged at his dark self. Then he stopped. Dark Link again, was playing his dirty game.

He took out his sword and held the blade against Zelda's neck. 'Okay, now this is something that never happened to me before.', she thought. She shook because so much panic was going through her.

He noticed she was shaking. "Don't be afraid, princess. Just want him to get a little scare.", he whispered in her ear. He sounded almost as if he was actually trying to comfort her. She felt his hot breath to her skin.

He released her and threw he into a corner behind him. Link went to go after her, but Dark Link blocked his way.

"Here are the rules, whoever causes the most damage gets her. If you lose, I'll hand you over to Gannondorf…If you win, I'll let you and her go, for now.", he said.

Link agreed and they started the fight. They both looked determined. Dark Link got in the first slash. It hit Link's arm as he yelled in pain. That didn't stop him from fighting though. He backed up and jumped forward at him with the sword. Dark Link blocked the attack.

Zelda watched the fight, terrified that Link might get hurt even more. She tried to hold it in, but every time Dark Link got close to hitting him she would scream. Now the two were at each other like rabid dogs. It looked as if the fight would go on forever.

Then Link quickly pulled out a bow. He shot Dark Link in the arm. Dark Link fell to the ground in pain. Now Link went up to him and slashed as his legs.

More cries of pain was heard. Link didn't finish him off though. Instead he ran up to her. "Are you alright?", he asked in concern. She nodded her head. "Okay then let's get out of here."

He took her by the hand as they ran out of the temple. Guards now ran after them. They came up to his horse. Link lifted her up onto it, then got on himself. "Hold on!", he said as the horse bolted out of the area and into the desert.

Zelda put her hands around his waist as they rode off. She was so happy to be back with him. She closed her eyes and relaxed. She was safe now.

******************************************************************

Zelda and Link rode into the castle. It was almost about noon now. They stopped at the front gate and got off the horse. They stood in front of the castle looking at each other. He smiled. That was the smile all the girls at school melted when they saw.

She returned the smile. He leaned in to kiss her. It was a sweet kiss. One that she could have never gotten from his dark side. It was warm too, unlike the cold frozen lips of Dark Link.

He moved away slowly and she noticed his hurt arm. "Oh, Link, are you okay?", she asked scared for him.

He glanced at it and winced. "I guess it was worse than I thought."

Zelda thought for a second. If she was going to use magic, what better way than to heal. Though this was a good idea she was afraid she'd make matters worse. She concentrated on healing him. Glittering orbs formed from her hands and surrounded his arm as the wound began to close up. When it was fully healed she bent down to kiss it.

"There, much better.", she smiled.

"Thanks.", he said.

The both of them walked into the castle. The king and Impa were waiting there. "Oh, Zelda. Your okay! Thank Goddesses!", he got up and embraced her in a big hug.

"Thanks to Link.", she reminded him. Link smiled to the king. He smiled back.

"Yes, of course! Thank you my son. You shale be commemorated for this.", he gave Link a hug identical to the one he gave Zelda. She laughed.

"So, now that your safe, how about visiting the ones you haven't seen for a long while.", suggested Impa.

"Great idea.", agreed Link. Though Zelda was very tired she agreed wanting to get some more fresh air. They heard fast footsteps coming down the hall. Malon and Saria were running towards them. Saria gave Zelda a big hug.

"Zelda, oh my gosh, are you alright? I was so worried for you.", exclaimed Saria. Tears were streaming down her face.

"Yeah, I'm okay, thanks.", replied Zelda. She hugged her friend back.

"Great. Can we go visit people now.", urged Malon. Zelda rolled her eyes at her. Of course she wouldn't care that she had been kidnapped.

The four of them walked out of the castle. Epona and a white horse was waiting for them.

Zelda got on with Link, and Malon and Saria got on the white horse. "Where to first?", asked Link.

"How bout Lon Lon Ranch. I want to see my dad.", said Malon.

******************************************************************

They headed inside the large ranch. It was very a beautiful little area. The entrance was surrounded by two buildings. One was a two story house and the other one on the right was a barn. They walked into the middle of the ranch to see two men tending to the horses.

The man which was Malon's father got up to greet the visitors. Malon stepped in front of the group and confronted the man.

"How may I help you, Miss?", he asked. Malon looked at him as to observe her long lost father.

"Dad… It's me…Malon.", she replied. The man eyes widened at what she had said. A few seconds went by in silence.

"Ma.. Ma.. Malon? My dear daughter that was taken away from me so many years ago? … Its really you!", tears of joy rolled down his chubby face as he embraced her in a hug. Malon was also in tears. It was sight you never really saw, or think of seeing, from Malon. She never cried. She seemed to always be cold and mean to everyone, and to see this made Zelda happy for her.

The other man, named Ingo, who was watching stood in shock from what he had just witnessed.

******************************************************************

Malon had decided to stay at the ranch while the rest of the group went to Kokiri forest. Kokiri forest was the place where Saria and Link grew up, in there alternate lives. Saria was so exited to see where she had come from.

"Oh, my gosh! I can't wait.", squealed Saria. They neared the entrance to the forest. Zelda noticed an old owl watching them from a high branch of a tree. It's gaze made her a uneasy, but she shrugged it off.

Now, in front of them was a dark tunnel that denoted the entrance of Kokiri forest. Zelda glanced at her friends nervously, she had never been to this place before, or at least she had no memories of it.

They entered the dark passage and crossed a bridge and another short tunnel before entering the village. Zelda observed the new place in wonder. It was breathtaking. The grass was an olive, healthy green. Miniature houses made up a village of tiny people. She stared at the elves. They looked like children, but something told her they had minds of wise adults. The child-like people all wore green. Girls wore Saria's clothing that was a green shirt, with a brown belt and a short skirt, at there feet, they had green boots. All of the boys had the same color tunics on and little green hats on there heads, much like what Link was wearing. Although this was only Zelda's first visit to the forest, she didn't seem to be the only one in awe. The elf people stared at the strangers in curiosity, even Saria and Link seemed to be surprised to see such a place.

They noticed Saria. A little boy came up to her and looked into her eyes. A little ball of light with transparent wings fallowed him. It was a fairy. "Saria?", he asked.

"Yes, that's me, Mido.", she answered. The boy gasped and hugged her knees.

"How have you grown so big ,Saria?", he asked. "..oh I remember, that old man took you away and put a spell on you to grow." He had a sad look in his eyes as if he had lost an old friend. Then he looked up at Link. "You on the other hand, didn't belong here in the first place.", he remarked.

Link just shrugged it off. He was just a stupid little kid anyway. Saria didn't like the insult though. She gave the kid a look of warning.

Now all the Kokiri came up to greet them. They asked a bunch of questions like, "Where did you guys go for so long?" and "What does it look like out there?". The elves decided to throw a party for the return of Saria and Link, but mostly Saria since Link was pretty much an outcast to them.

******************************************************************

Later at about 6:00 Zelda had decided she would rest from dancing with some of her little, new friends. She had been dancing and having so much fun that she had not noticed Link wasn't there. She went to go look for him. It took her a while until she found him sitting alone behind his tree house.

She sat down next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. The two of them sat there in silence for a while until she looked up at him. He was staring into space with a depressed look on his face.

"What's the matter?", she asked concerned. He snapped out of his day dream and looked at her as if he hadn't noticed she was there.

"Well..", he started. "..Oh, never mind." His face still filled with sadness. Zelda felt a little frustrated that he wouldn't tell her.

"Link, you can tell me anything. I'm your girlfriend, you can't keep secrets from me.", she insisted. He smiled at her attempt and started again.

"Fine, I guess your right. It's just that.. Everyone but me has gotten to see their family. I just feel kind of… different.", he explained.

"I'm sorry you feel like that, but aren't the Kokiri sort of your family. Aren't you a little happy to see them?", she asked.

"Yeah, but its not the same. I'm not a Kokiri like Saria, I'm a Hylian and I had parents. It would be nice just to know who they were, you know?"

" Yes, I know. I felt like that my whole life until we came here. Saria has too and I'm sure Malon has at one point. It's awful you don't even know their names, but we have all been there and I understand. I will ask my father tomorrow if he knew any knights that might have been your father, okay?", she asked. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

They cuddled for some while until Saria came around looking for them. "Hey, I thought you'd be here. Hope I'm not interrupting, but its getting dark, maybe we should head back to the castle." she suggested.

They agreed and got up to go. Saria was saying goodbye to the sad little Kokiri. "Why do you have to leave so soon?", one blonde haired girl asked.

Meanwhile Link and Zelda were standing by the exit of the woods waiting for Saria to finish her farewells. Mido, the boy who insulted Link before, came up to them. "Look, Link… I'm… sorry I was so rude to you. You didn't disserve that treatment. I hope you forgive me.", said the little elf.

Link smiled and asked, " Saria told you to say that didn't she?" The elf reddened.

"Well… yeah… but I did say sorry okay.", he answered and ran into his house mumbling things inaudible.

Saria walked up to the group. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's go.". They walked out of the woods. And into the small clearing before Hyrule field. There again was that creepy owl staring at them from a high branch. It gave a big hoot to catch there attention.

"Hey Link!", it said. Saria and Zelda stared at it shocked that it had said something.

"Um.. Hi", he responded. "What's up?" Could this be happening. Link was talking to an oversized bird! This had to be another crazy dream.

"Link, I've been watching you. You seem depressed to not know the history of your parents."

"Yeah.. And?"

"Well, I have to confess. I know many things about your parents. You see, I was your mother's pet. She had raised me since I was just a chick. I know much about you. Care to listen?", it asked.

"Yes, please tell me all you know", he sounded interested. The owl flew off the branch and landed in front of them.

"You might want to sit down for this, it is a very long story.", said the owl and then he began…

_______________________________________________

Look forward to a whole chapter of the story behind…

Yup. LINK"S PARENTS!!

Yay!!! R&R…..