The Legend of Zelda
The Darkness Within

By Jennie Grochowsky

If you seek the hidden gate,
The key you seek is shadowed fate.

The secrets that lie hidden beneath the ground,
Is where the required wisdom is found,

To find the darkened force of power;
Seek thee first the sacred tower.

When all three gather in one place,
Then you shall see a sacred space.

Onto the realm through the gate you pass,
And before you will stand a magnificent mass.

Three golden structures with names well known to you,
The names of the Goddess' Din, Farore and Nayru.

Prologue

Link fired his last light arrow at Gannon praying that he could dodge the massive swinging blades. When he saw that the arrow had struck true and Gannon froze, he rushed around and slashed the beast's tail with the Biggoron sword once more carefully avoiding the wall of flames separating him from Zelda. His heart pounded as he waited to see if this would be the last time he would have to hit the tail. If it were not then Gannon's swinging blades would be certain doom for him. He had just fired his last arrow and only had one red potion left.

To his amazement, Gannon faltered and fell to the ground. He rushed quickly to Zelda and the waiting Master Sword; the flames separating him from them had finally dropped. When he pulled the Master Sword form the ground he turned to Zelda and said not a word, but with a loving glance how much she meant to him. There wasn't time to say what he wanted; it was time to stop this beast once and for all.

He ran toward the faltering Gannon at full speed, raising the master sword high above his head and he let out a cry of victory as he brought the sword down with one fierce blow. The master sword struck true into the beast's black heart. Gannon rose up in pain attempting to attack link one last time but was quickly stopped in place by Zelda's magic. He stood there struggling as Zelda called upon the power of the other six sages to imprison him forever in the Evil Realm. Before link could blink, Gannon was gone. He could still hear his voice muttering curses at Zelda and himself. Soon his voice echoed away leaving them alone amongst the rubble of the tower. Zelda was no longer the frightened child he had seen those long seven years ago. She now had a sense of contentment, brought about by the banishment of Ganondorf.

Link's exhaustion was now catching up with him. He was feeling weak. She could see it in his eyes as he tried to walk to her.

"Link!" Her arms caught him as he collapsed forward. She lowered him gently to the ground taking great care not to hurt him in any way. Link closed his eyes and relaxed falling to sleep.

" Link, wake up please." Her sweet voice and embrace felt like a dream. He wanted to touch her face to see if she were real. Nevertheless, he could not; he was too weak. His arm felt like it weighed more then the world itself. He couldn't lift it, even to make the smallest of gestures.

"Zelda, give me one of my potion bottles," he whispered

She felt around his tunic until she found the last potion he had, she opened it. She tilted his head and brought the bottle to his lips.

"Drink." She said sweetly.

As he drank the potion he could feel the weariness leave his body. However, he didn't get up. He opened his eyes slowly and looked up at Zelda. Being there in her arms was the best feeling in the world; He didn't want to move.

"It's been a long time," he said, "you've… changed"

"I hope not for the worse," she teased, smiling at him

"Oh no on the contrary, I think you look like… a flower, that has blossomed in the desert." He took her hand and tenderly kissed it.

"You have changed too," she said.

"How?" he asked, releasing her hand.

"You're… taller, and you're voice has changed too. And you fight so much differently then you did seven years ago."

He sat up slowly. Leaning on one arm, he moved closer to her face.

"Does it please you?" his breath caressing her ear. His lips brushed against her cheek gently.

"Yes. Very much so." She whispered. Then her face took on a more somber expression. She looked down.

"What is it?" he asked, gently tilting her chin up so there eyes met. She could see the unease in his eyes.

"All the wrongdoing that had come to pass was all my fault. I was young and did not know the consequences of opening the Sacred Realm. I did not mean to drag you into this. If it hadn't been for me, none of this would have happened. I would hate to think of you loosing those last seven years because of something foolish I did." Tears welled up in her eyes as she took links hand.

" If you give the ocarina of Time to me, I can send you back, where your supposed to be, the way you are supposed to be." Her statement pierced link like one of his arrows. She wanted to send him back seven years. No way could he do it. He didn't want to return to the forest to live as a Kokiri. Now he was an adult. If he went back he wouldn't have the freedoms of an adult. But most importantly, he wouldn't have Zelda. She may have felt responsible for drawing him from the forest but deep down inside he was glad she did. He was no Kokiri; he was Hylian he had no need to return. He shook his head "no" he said softly "I will not."

Her eyes widened "But Link…"

"Shhh… hear me out I've something important to say." He stood up, took Zelda's hand, and helped her gently to her feet. He placed her hand over his heart.

"How can I return to my childhood when I know it is not the right thing to do? There is no need for you to feel guilty for anything you may have done to me. I was destine to leave the forest some day anyway." He smiled at her.

"But Link, you had such a large task of defeating the evil in all the temples. I know that must have been quite a burden. Surly you long for your carefree days as a child in the forest. Where there is no evil to contend with," she said

"Yes, your right it was a burden, and I do feel weary now but I would do it all again if it meant having you beside me, looking the way you look to me now." His expression changed. His eyes widened and the deep blue became brighter.

"And as for being a child…" he moved closer to her and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "A child cannot feel for you the way this man does." He took her face in his hands and, cradling it ever so gently, brought his lips to hers. A quiet sound escaped from her throat as she felt his lips cover hers. The way he held her face made her feel very safe, like nothing bad could ever happen again. He pulled back slowly but he wasn't going to let her go. Not just yet.

"Please don't send me back, Zelda. I could never leave you now… I would die for you."

She felt completely safe in his arms; she didn't want him to ever let her go. This was the Hero of Time holding her in his arms. It was obvious by all he had done that he was in love with her. She realized that she too had the same feelings for him within her.

"Don't leave me link. I don't want you to go." She closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder. Link took a deep breath. He needed to do this now or he might never have another chance. He slowly pulled away from her. This was it. No turning back now.

"Zelda close your eyes. And no peeking"

"What are you doing?" she asked curiously.

"Just close your eyes." He tilted her head playfully studying her eyes. "Are you sure there closed? I think I see you peeking," he teased

"Yes" she giggled

"Okay," he said, then took another deep breath. She could hear him reach into his tunic and take something out. Then she felt him gently uncurl her fingers.

"I've been saving this for just the right moment." Something round, something metal was being slipped over her finger. She gasped suddenly and a small smile began to spread over her face.

"Okay, open your eyes."

She looked down at her hand. The large emerald surrounded by diamonds took her breath away. She covered her mouth in sudden emotion. " Link, it's beautiful…"

"This was my mothers." he said, "It was the only possession she left me and I want you to have it." He could see tears in her eyes. "I know it's not as large as you deserve, but it is all I can offer," he said humbly.

She began to cry. "No, Link its absolutely perfect"

He stood back, slowly unsheathed the Master Sword and got down on one knee, holding it down in the earth with one hand as he took her hand with the other. "Zelda, I know that I may not be the richest man in this land, I may not be the most romantic either. But I do know that I love you with all my heart. You have no idea how special you are to me, but this man wants to be your husband more then anything in the world, if you'll have me." He swallowed hard.

"Zelda, will you marry me? I promise to take care of you always." He nervously awaited her response.

She did all she could do. She fell to her knees, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. He could feel her shaking in his embrace and a cool tear on her cheek. He pulled back.

"What's wrong? Did I upset you?" he carefully cupped her chin in his hand letting his finger catch her tear. She couldn't hold back any longer. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. He held her tightly and stroked her hair.

"Shhh…it's ok." He whispered rocking her gently

When she gathered herself a bit more she pulled back from his shoulder to face him.

"I would be honored to be your wife, Link. It would make me the happiest woman in the world." She didn't care about the humble way he lived. All that mattered was his love for her, and she felt pride for wearing the ring he gave her.

"I love you Link."