Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda or anything that relates to it, except for this story. The LoZ characters and such are all property of Nintendo.
A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! XD I love you, reviewers! *hugs you all* I don't have so much to say right now, but before I'll start writing on chapter 16, I'd like to ask you to vote in the poll in the end of this chapter. If you dislike sappy or mushy content, I'd suggest you not to read this chapter. It's as sappy as it can be (in my opinion…).
**Some notes about the reviews I got** I'll respond to the critical review I got from MagischeEngel. I would have sent you an e-mail, but then I thought I should write this here so everybody can see it. Apparently, you don't like the Link/Zelda pairing. Lemme ask you two questions. Why did you read my story if you knew it contained L/Z pairing (I think I wrote it very clearly in the summary) and you dislike that they're together? And why would I write a Link/Zelda romance story if I wasn't a hardcore L/Z fan?
I am, as many people are Malinkers, an avid Zelinker. I believe Link and Zelda are destined to be together. Besides, they look really good together too. A very cute couple. ^_^ And in Legend of Zelda, royalty isn't boring at all. My story follows the storyline of OoT, though Link won't be known as the Hero of Time. And if you read the other chapters of this story – though I doubt you did, because you judged my story just after the first chapter – you would have realized that Zelda is more of a tomboy in this fic.
Iris Tigerlily Hardbottle, thank you for the review. I'm glad you're reading the story to your brother. Anyways, Marth isn't Zelda's brother. In the game, she doesn't have a brother at all. But I didn't make him up. Both Marth and Roy are from a game called Fire Emblem (released in Japan only) but I know them from SSBM. About the Harkinian thing: I don't think Harkinian is the King's first name, but it's Zelda's last name. Since I don't know what the King's real name is, I decided to call him just 'King Harkinian'.
------------------------------------------------
Chapter sixteen: It takes two to mend a broken heart
The eye – the symbol of the Sheikah tribe – was crying, a single tear of blood trickling down the chest of Sheik, whose crimson eyes revealed that a heart full of regrets was throbbing beyond the white cloths and flesh. The scarlet eye was reflecting Sheik's own emotions. A single tear was running down a tanned cheek, only to be wiped away while Sheik slowly began unwrapping the cloths that covered the head and lower parts of his face. Then a hand was raised, a spell uttered, and the Sheikah man was gone, to be replaced by the features and beauty of a young Hylian woman. She had a shy, sad smile on her lips.
The Hylian man was watching the transformation anxiously. Fear could be seen in his blue eyes, although he didn't seem like the kind of person who would show his fear to anyone. His hands were groping for a grip on the tree trunk behind him, to steady himself from something, whatever it might be. The pain was more intense now.
The girl, whose eyes were now the blue ones he once knew, looked at him without saying anything. The silence around them was loud, too much for them to bear.
"… Zelda." The mere sound of her name changed the girl's behavior. She nodded. "What are you doing out here? It's cold."
"I couldn't sleep."
The former Princess drew a deep breath. "Oh… um… I came here to… I came here to… to say I'm sorry for everything. I want to apologize."
"Me too. I'm really sorry, Zelda." His voice was soft and sincere. He really meant what he said. "I guess you still hate me and-"
"No, I don't! It was just something I said. I could never hate you. I…" The girl's cheeks turned a slight pink when she remembered what she had said to him…
"Have you ever thought of how much you can miss a person? I did miss you, Zelda, more than I ever thought I would. I didn't mean anything of those things I said to you."
"Me neither. I really missed you…" Zelda fought to hold back the tears that burned in her eyes, but soon she gave up and let them flow freely. Some time ago, she had thought she hated this man, but now, those emotions were all gone. He was once again the Link she knew and loved. The one who cared about her when no one else did.
"You're right, it's a bit chilly out here", Link admitted. He approached her slowly, wrapping his arms around her and giving her the embrace she needed more than anything right then. She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting her own tears fall on his naked skin.
"I've realized something", she said, leaning her head against his shoulder. "As long as you're happy, I don't care what will happen to me. I just want you to be happy. It's all that matters."
"Zelda", he said quietly into her hair. "I'm not happy without you. I thought you'd know that."
She smiled to herself. "I do, now."
||~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~||
During Queen Rose's government, things hadn't been the same in Hyrule. The King's former wife, Queen Veilla, had ruled the country with wisdom and justice. Queen Rose was her opposite, a sly, evil woman who had seemed as the perfect Queen but deceived them all.
She forced the people to pay a higher amount of rupees to the Royal family, but although she was wealthy, she couldn't have cared less about the homeless people who lived on the streets of town. The only of her duties she cared about, were those who would bring more money. When Zora's Domain froze over and Zoras who lived there were trapped under a thick sheet of ice, she didn't do anything. Neither did the King or the Crown Prince. Nobody did anything to defeat the evil being which lived in the Water Temple and caused the problems.
Poverty became a big problem in Hyrule, Gerudo thieves left their Fortress and roamed the streets of Hyrule Castle Town, robbing people and even killing the innocent. Ingo had kicked Talon out of the ranch and he'd had the care of the ranch for some years now. Queen Rose herself was fond of one of the best horses on the ranch, named Ophelia, a young mare with white fur and a peculiar black spot on her nose. The young horse would become the Queen's private steed as soon as she'd had some training.
A fire would soon ravage in Kakariko, and it would cause great devastation. People were whispering things about an evil being that lived deep underneath the ground, in the caves of the well. A house had been built there once, but it had been destroyed and burnt down to ashes when the Gerudo people attacked Kakariko many years ago, and then, the people in Kakariko built a well there instead. Now people were talking about a Shadow Temple and an eye that could see the truth…
It was just the Kokiri tribe that didn't know anything about the things that were going on outside the forest – except for a particular girl, Saria. Somehow, she could sense what was going on and even talk to a person outside the woods. The other Kokiri became suspicious, things like that weren't normal, were they? They said that Saria had dangerous powers, and they also blamed her for killing The Great Deku Tree. Saria would wander alone in the Lost Woods, singing to herself or playing the ocarina.
Queen Rose of Hyrule was planning things that no one else knew about. With a peculiar Triforce mark glowing on her right hand, she could think of things more evil than anyone else. The mark on the back of her hand gave her the Power to rule Hyrule, and she became wicked because of it. Nobody could ever see the darkness beyond her sweet features… except for the other chosen ones.
However, everything changed when the Royal family announced that they were preparing the arrival of a new Prince or Princess.
||~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~||
Marth's POV
When I was sitting in the library, studying or reading, Romani would be a very good friend, almost like the little sister I had lost. I couldn't ride a horse, nor run or fence with a sword anymore due to the wounds I had got when someone attempted to murder me at the ball, two years ago. Those wounds would never heal. I would carry the scars and deal with the pain for the rest of my life.
This was also the perfect opportunity for my Father's wife to give birth to an heir to the throne. I would never be the next King… my wounds were too serious, and as King, I couldn't stay inside all day. I would never deal with the duties I'd have if I became a King.
"What are you doing?" Romani, of course. Who else? I turned my head slowly in her direction. She was looking at me gleefully, her red hair shining in the light of the setting sun, which was shining in through the high library windows.
"Nothing… thinking."
"Why, Marth, you're always thinking."
"I don't have anything else to do."
"Why won't you come with me and Mom to Kakariko? We'll do some shopping today and take a look at the new Shooting gallery." It seemed as though Romani really thought that woman was her real mother, but I would never trust the Queen.
"Um… I don't know, Romani, I don't feel like it."
She pouted, and then gave me the eyes of a puppy dog. "Please? For me? Pleeease?"
"Oh, all right, then, I'm coming."
||~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~||
Link's POV
The day after we had met each other again, Zelda went back to Kakariko. Only hours after she had left the Castle, I felt the Triforce mark on my left hand starting to burn like hell again. Fear rose inside me, and I didn't know what to do. I felt so helpless, so defenceless… then another shock of sharp pain shot through my body. Suddenly, I realized everything. Zelda!
Something was going on in Kakariko, and I had to be there to help Zelda, whatever it was she was facing. I could feel her emotions… it seemed as though the Triforce marks connected us, somehow… would we be able to talk to each other with our thoughts, like Saria and I had done?
"Link! Where are you going?" Roy shouted after me. We had been practicing in the courtyard, trying some new sword tricks and moves. But now, I hadn't time to explain anything.
"Nowhere", I yelled back. "But it's urgent!"
"Can I come?"
"No!" I was running to the stables to get Epona. Roy was following me. Maybe he could help you? a little voice in the back of my head said. I couldn't deny it… "Um, okay, but stay out of the way if it comes to battle", I panted. Was I thinking Roy couldn't do anything just because he was two years younger than me? I thought as I put the saddle on Epona and swung myself onto her back. She neighed, obviously displeased. She didn't want to go anywhere.
"Come on, girl", I said, digging the heels of my boots into her sides. "Hurry!" I shouted at Roy. He was also ready to go, sitting on his horse, a black stallion named Storm. Opposite me and Epona, Roy was using reins to control his horse. I didn't need any, I knew Epona too well and could control her direction with my knees. Besides, I needed to be able to hold a sword or shooting with the bow while riding. And that wasn't easy, but one of the things I was learning at the Castle.
Navi, who had been asleep inside my hat, woke up and asked me what was going on. "Something really bad is happening in Kakariko", I explained to her.
"What are you two going to do?"
"I don't know it yet", I said impatiently. "We'll see when we get there."
I goaded Epona through the crowded streets of town, shouting at people to get out of our way. I could feel my own panic rise within every second, just because I didn't know what was going on. If something had happened to Zelda, I wouldn't be able to help her before we got to Kakariko. Occasionally, I felt the terrible pain erupt from the mark on my hand. People were yelling things at us, but I didn't hear them. I could only hear my own heartbeat throbbing in my ears.
The drawbridge was getting nearer. We rode across the crowded market place, passed by the Shooting Gallery and the Bombchu Bowling and reached the road that lead out of town. The horse's hooves were rumbling like the thunder against the wood when we rode over the drawbridge, and I was afraid that it would burst under the weight. I could imagine falling down into the cold water in the moat… we headed directly towards the small bridge that lead over the river and took the way up the stairs to the village. It was a little hard for the horses, but they managed to do it. When I spotted the thick, black smoke, I knew this couldn't be good.
"Oh my Goddesses", Roy gasped. "What has caused this?"
"I have no idea", I said sternly, "but I'll find out."
Sheik was standing by the well in the middle of the village, just below the Windmill Inn. He had his back turned at me, so I couldn't see his face. I rode up to him, and then dismounted Epona. I told Roy to help the villagers to handle the fire.
"Sheik", I said softly. He slowly turned his head to look at me. His tanned cheeks were stained with tears."
"I came here because I felt that something was wrong", I explained.
"Thank you, Link, but it seems you're too late."
"Why? We can help people to extinguish the fire-"
Sheik sniffed and wiped the tears away. "Yeah. I guess we can."
||~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~||
"We're done over here… it's just that house left", I said, pointing at the last house in the village that was still on fire. The unmistakable smell of smoke hung in the air. People were wailing and yelling, some of them because of the loss of someone close to them. The fire had caused great devastation. Seven people or more were lost.
"How's it going?" I heard Roy ask me. I wiped the sweat of my brow, heading to the well to get another bucket of water.
"All right, I guess. What caused the fire, anyway?" I bent down, pulling at the rope, then attaching the wooden bucket to the hook in the end of it.
"I asked a few people, but they had no idea, either", Roy said, leaning against the wall of the nearest house, watching me lowering the rope, then pull it upwards again.
"I think someone mentioned something about a Temple", I said quietly, seizing the bucket, now filled with water, and heading to the house that was still on fire.
"Perhaps they're right", Roy said thoughtfully as he also got a new bucket of water.
"Link! I really need to talk to you." It was Sheik. He was tugging at my sleeve impatiently. I turned to face him, and I could see the tears running down his face, his crimson eyes full of fear and sorrow. He dragged me away, until we were standing about fifty yards away from the other people.
"It has to be really urgent, Sheik", I said. "I need to help them with the fire, otherwise more people will die-"
"It's just that! Would you please listen to me now?"
I nodded seriously. "You know some people were killed by the fire. They were all burnt to death-" Sheik choked on his words, then let out a quiet sob.
"And two of these people were obviously named Marth and Romani Harkinian."
I dropped the bucket.
||~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~||
The lower part of Kakariko village had been totally destroyed by the fierce fire. The fire had been stopped just below the well and the Windmill Inn, and the houses on the slope of Death Mountain had not been reached at all. Nobody knew what had caused the disaster.
Two people that had been hurt by the fire were still alive. One of them was Marth Harkinian, Crown Prince of Hyrule. He was taken care of in Impa's house. The Sheikah woman knew a lot about different healing methods and herbs. At the moment, six people were sitting in the living room, and they weren't talking to each other. They all needed to think things through and handle their sorrow.
There were Link, Roy and Sheik, who was crying silently. There also were Ryla, Tato and their daughter Weal. Their house had been completely burnt down, and now they were staying in Impa's house instead. Weal was crying against her father's shoulder, and he had wrapped his arms carefully around her. Suddenly, Impa entered the room.
"Sheik? I think you should come. And Link, you can come with him, too." They both stood up and went inside the chamber where Marth lay on the bed. He seemed to be asleep peacefully, but he stirred and opened his eyes slowly as he heard them enter. Impa then left the room and closed the door, leaving the three of them alone.
Marth didn't say anything. Bandages were wrapped around his stomach, chest and arms, his skin full of large bruises and scratches. Sheik was watching him in despair. He only knew one thing to do. He slowly unwrapped the cloth that covered his head and face, letting the long, blonde hair fall down over the shoulders, revealing the Sheikah boy's real identity.
"Zelda", Marth whispered, barely audible. Of course he recognized her, though her skin now was tanned and dark and her eyes were a strange, crimson color. She nodded slowly.
"I knew it." A tiny smile was seen in the corner of the Prince's mouth. "I knew you weren't dead."
Zelda smiled fondly, and tried to hold back her tears, but it wasn't possible. She watched the deadly pale, tired face of the big brother she knew and loved, and cried silently, tears trickling down her cheeks and falling down onto the floor. She didn't wipe them away. Instead, she kneeled down beside the bed, taking her brother's hand in her own and squeezing it. She felt Marth squeeze back, and his blue eyes met hers.
"You've become so beautiful, Zelda… you've always been." He coughed a few times, and it obviously took a lot of his remaining strength.
"Why… why wouldn't you tell me, Link?" Marth asked quietly, looking at Link. "You knew it all the time, didn't you?"
"Yes, but I… I didn't want to hurt Zelda", Link said, meeting Marth's gaze. "I didn't want to reveal who she was because I care about her."
"So do I", Marth breathed, almost inaudible. "I really do. I'm glad I met you again, Zelda…"
His voice fainted, and he closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. Zelda squeezed his hand tightly again, but this time, she could feel no response.
||~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~||
Link soon discovered that comforting a disconsolate person and mending a broken heart was far from easy. But in the toughest times, Zelda needed him to hold on to, and he would be there for her. He was the only one to listen to her words, tell her soothing things and wipe her tears away. It was also by this time, when Impa told them that Queen Rose was pregnant with an heir-to be of the throne, that Zelda made the most important decision of her life. She would give up everything she had wanted to do, everything she wanted to be – to take the place as what she was born to be, a Princess.
It would not be simple. It would be the hardest thing they had ever done before, but there was no doubt they would make it to the end. They could do anything, if only they were together.
They were watching from the Heavens, and They smiled to each other. Their chosen ones were on their way to discover who they really were. But still, they had a long way to go before they got there.
"Link? I want to show you something."
"Oh, really? What is it?" Link entered Zelda's chamber, and stopped dead in his tracks as he saw her. The way she should be. The way she was supposed to be. She was smiling sweetly at him, her cerulean eyes meeting his. Her blonde hair was falling down her back, leaving two strands on each side of her face. The light tiara with a red gem, a ruby, in the center and the Triforce earrings showed her Royal status. The young man in the green tunic had never seen her like this before.
"Wow."
"That's all you can say?"
"I guess. But I thought you disliked dresses."
"I do. I have to get used to it, though. This is for Hyrule's sake, Link. And my own. I can't let that child be born and rule this country as Queen Rose has done. I'm doing it for my family… for Marth."
"I'm aware of that", he said with a slight smile. "And it's the right thing to do. Marth could never become a King, Zelda. He would have wanted you to do this."
She nodded, tears glittering in the corners of her eyes. Link looked at her closely, and then he realized something. "The bruise on your cheek is gone."
She nodded. "Yes. And so is yours."
He lowered his head to taste the softness of her lips. When they broke apart, Zelda said: "Link, I just thought about something I've never said to you."
"What?"
"Isn't it obvious?" she teased, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. He grinned sheepishly.
"So, are you ready for this, Princess?" he asked her seriously.
"As ready as I can be. What do you think my Father will say when I return?"
"He'll be proud of you, Zelda. Just as proud as I am of you. And if Marth and Veilla could see you, they'd be proud of you, too. You've become so much more than you were before. You left the Castle as a Princess, and you are returning as a true Queen."
She smiled. "I would never have done it without you, Link."
He offered his arm, and she took it. "Let's go."
------------------------------------------------
A/N: There's another chapter done! This one was a little short, but all in all, I was pleased with this chapter. ^_^ Some things in this story aren't finished, though, like the Triforce thing and the quest to defeat the evil Queen. I'm considering writing part 2 of this story, but I'm leaving it to you to decide whether I should do it or not. If you review, would you like to tell me this:
(1) If you want to see the second part of this story,
(2) if you only want a sequel,
(3) or if you want me to end it right here.
I'm pretty unsure of what to do, so it's up to you to decide! If you choose number 1, it will take some time for me to come up with ideas for the second part, I think… and I also want to get some more time to write on my other stories. I guess that's all for now. Please review!
..::Hylian Heroine::..