Chapter Nine ((Note: trust the spell checker... trust... the spell checker...))

Mila walked down to the dinning hall with Link. As she walked next to him, she couldn't help but feel very embarrassed. 'Why am I so... so... I don't know. Shy?!' Mila argued with herself. Her heart raced as her face turned red. 'I'm not suppose to be like this! Get ahold of yourself Mila! He's just a guy. A cute guy at that.' Her thoughts paused. 'Grah! Stop talking to yourself! Be courageous. Be yourself. Link is a cute... guy, but he's just a guy. Get over it.' Mila straightened herself. She walked more gracefully and proud.

Finally, they arrived in the dinning hall. Servants awaited around a long table with a red table clothe on top. Plates waited for food to be placed on them. Link looked for Zelda but he didn't see her. So, he took a seat near the place where a royal leader would sit. Mila waited behind him for any requests.

After a brief wait, Princess Zelda walked in as gracefully as she could with Impa. Her cheeks were a little red from the tears and she was still a little shaky. Slowly Zelda sat at the end of the table next to Link. She closed her eyes and cleared her throat.

"Start the feast please." Zelda said to the servants.

Pot after pot came to the table full of different foods to their liking. Link smelled the delicious smell of meat and vegetables. Mila came up behind him and poured some red wine inside his glass.

"Thanks!" Link gleamed and looked at Mila as she stepped back away. He smiled a huge childish smile and looked at Zelda. The princess couldn't help but laugh at him and nod her head.

"Dig in you hungry animal." Zelda said waving her hand. She didn't have to say that twice. Link outstretched his arm and grabbed some food. Hungry animal indeed. The dark warrior ate like a lion. Zelda shook her head and chuckled while eating some food politely. Mila tried hard to fight rolling all over the floor, laughing her head off.

Dinner was over and Link and Zelda walked outside to the castle courtyard. The place was small but beautiful. The short green grass waved very little in the light wind of the starry night. The moonlight shined and brought up the colors of the beautiful ring of flowers that surrounded the whole garden. On the outside, closest to the circular walls, was a ring of water that lead out of the garden. Indeed the garden was pretty and just the way Link had remembered it.

The two walked to the center of the flower ring and sat down together. The hero sat casually like he usually does when outside. Legs outstretched, leaning on his palms and staring at the sky. Zelda sat on her rear using her gown to keep herself clean. She only stared at Link in a dreamy state. They remained silent.

Zelda watched him as he stared at the stars. His blond hair waving gently around him. His skin was a little pale in the light but she could still see the strange markings on his face. It was also a bit strange because now his eyes almost turned to an empty white. A cold and distant feeling came over the princess from the dark hero. For a moment, Zelda was scared of Link. She became frightened of him.

But the fear was wiped away when she felt warm fingers touch the back of her hand. She looked at her hand and saw Link's hand gripping hers softly. She blushed slightly.

"Look up. If you see a red star that's the star of Din. Then look east a bit and you'll see the star of Fayru. To the west is Nayru." Link told her and smiled. Zelda saw the three bright stars.

"Pretty..." she commented.

"Yeah. They guided me back home. You'll notice that Din is right above Hyrule and Nayru and Fayru is on either side, making a triangle. I knew that, whichever direction I took, if I followed the stars to Din I would come home." Link told her.

"That's neat." Zelda said. Silence once again. Link kept holding her hand in his as they looked at the stars.

After a while Zelda finally spoke again. "Link..." she said in a very soft voice.

"Hm?" Came a reply from him.

"Um... if. I'm. Well..." she couldn't seem to find the words. He looked at her as she turned her face to him.

"Yeah?" he spoke softly. His breath smelled like the sweet wine he had drank. Not too strong but not too soft.

"I... well..." Zelda stuttered. She still couldn't find the words. Her heart was beating fast with the tension. She has fallen for him, yet, for some reason she could not tell him that. "If you ever want to talk to me about something, I'll always listen. I'm here for you Link, that's all." the princess managed to say. That wasn't what she wanted to tell him.

Link smiled and let go of her hand. He used that hand and placed it on her cheek. She didn't know what happened next, because it was all to fast, yet, it was really too slow. His lips gently touched hers for a brief second. "Thanks Zel. As I am always here for you to talk to. Good night sweet princess. Sweet dreams." he said before getting up and walking back into the castle.

Zelda was breathless. 'Was that a... a kiss?' She questioned herself. It was very short but lovely. She was in heaven for two seconds...