2

Changes

The skies were covered with thunder clouds over central Hyrule. Exactly where Link had been planning to visit that day.

It was nearly noon when he strolled into the puddle specked streets of Hyrule Market, having a hood draped over his head to keep himself of the best presentable state as possible. He was going to see his former Father-In-Law after all. Nonetheless, better known as, the King.

Luckily, due to the rainy weather, there had been only a handful of people walking the streets, all too busy to notice Sir Link's arrival, making him feel much better than being watched among the eyes of sympathetic townsfolk. It was much a relief to go unnoticed.

Link was greeted by one of the regular guards as he came up to the gate, leading to the castle grounds. He responded with a polite hello, walking up the hill and inside.

It was quiet and roomy as he walked down the hallway; his steps, and the pitter patter of the rain, echoing throughout the cathedral ceiling corridors, were the only sounds heard. All else was quiet.

Link made his way to stop in front of the throne room door, awaiting permission to enter. A tall, lanky man that had been standing there, noticed him walking in, and went inside to inform the King.

But before the man could even come back to let him in, he was greeted by another, one who ran down the halls, practically crashing into his leg, and taking hold of it in a tight hug.

A girl, who so closely resembled her late sister, with shiny, blonde hair, brilliant blue eyes, and fair skin, looked up at him, suction-cupped onto him like a leech.

Link stared down at the little girl attached to his left leg with a grin.

"Hello, Leila.", he said, picking up the little princess, resting her in his arms.

"Link!", she exclaimed happily, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck. "I've missed you so much! I'm so glad you decided to come!"

"I've missed you too Leila. What's new?", he asked, setting her down on the floor.

"Oh nothing.", she answered, twirling her hair and mocking a 'bored to death' look.

The lanky man peeked his head from behind the door, making Link jump back and laugh in spite of himself.

"The King will see you now.", he declared, opening the door fully and extending his arm.

"Thanks.", he said as the two, him and Leila, walked into the room to reveal the King, sitting alone in one of the thrones.

"Link my boy!", he said, beginning to stand up. "Long time, no see. How have you been?"

Link walked up to the King, engaging in a manly hug, taking a seat on a chair that had been placed just for him.

"I'm fine.", replied Link, letting Leila climb onto his lap, resting against his chest. "And you, your highness?"

"Very well, very well.", he answered. "All is normal here."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment. The King had taken notice of Leila, his daughter, who had plopped down on Link's lap, paying close attention to the conversation.

"She is very fond of you Link.", he pointed out. "I was hoping you would come soon. She doesn't stop talking about you."

Link shrugged his shoulders. "What can I say? No girl can resist my charm.", he said jokingly.

The King chuckled merrily. Something he didn't do often.

"So, what have you come to see me for?", he asked, offering Link some tea, that had just been placed n front of the two by a servant.

"Just came to see how our royal family is doing, your highness.", he said, taking a sip of the streaming tea.

"Ah, very kind of you to do so", said the King. "Well, things here have been rather slow lately."

"Very slow.", Leila spoke up, reinforcing her father's claim, and pretending to snore.

"How is the Queen?", Link asked. He had seldom seen her around, but when he did, she was always kind to him.

"Lillian is just fine.", answered the King. "We have recently decided that Leila is to be our only child. She does not plan to go through labor again." With that the King chuckled a bit.

"I see.", replied Link, eyes downcast to the ground.

Leila noticed the quietness of the two adults, taking advantage of the situation to speak up. "I was supposed to be a sister.", she piped. "But she died before I was born."

Link looked down sadly at the little princess. "I know.", he said softly. "Your sister was a wonderful person."

"I know that.", said Leila. "She's very pretty too. Don't you agree?"

The King coughed, clearing his throat, in order to get the girl to stop. "Yes, yes. She was, dear. Now if you please, could Link and I have some privacy?"

Leila looked at her father, rather hurt to be sent out of the room, but did not argue. She just sighed, jumping from Link's lap, walking towards the door. "Grown ups.", she mumbled. "Can't ever understand them."

The little Princess must have gone to the graveyard to pay her respects with her father once, explaining the comment of her being pretty. The statue, even after five years, had not been worn out one bit by weather or any other conditions. It had been as perfect as it was five years ago.

Once Leila left the room, the King spoke again.

"I'm terribly sorry for that. She has a wild imagination sometimes and can say things without realizing what they mean.", the King apologized. "She really doesn't know the impact of the situation."

"I know.", said Link. "It wasn't necessary to send her out like that."

"It is for the best. I have been meaning to talk to you alone anyway.", he said. "You know. Man to man."

"Alright. ", said Link. "What is it that you wish to say?"

"Well, Link.", the King started. "Frankly, I've been concerned about you."

"What do you mean?", he asked. There really was nothing to be concerned about.

"I mean that it's time you get out doing things and meeting people. Possibly finding someone to share your life with?", the King suggested.

Oh, that, Link thought.

"Well,", said Link, thinking on the subject. "I have been looking for a higher job, and my friends and I have been taking little vacations here and there. I believe all is well with that."

The King shook his head, staring Link straight in the eyes. "You are avoiding this Link.", he said gravely.

"Avoiding what?", asked Link, even though he knew perfectly well what he was talking about. The King had always hinted about finding someone of interest.

"Now I know you are sharper than that.", said the King. "I am just curious. We, the castle inhabitants and I, all care for you. We want to know you are well."

"I am well.", Link defended. "Trust me, I am at a positive state. You have no need to worry."

The King sighed, placing a hand on Link's shoulder. "I know you loved my daughter so very much, and when I saw you two together, you were the happiest of couples. I can tell, Link, that you have not been that happy since that day."

Link broke eye contact, hoping this conversation would end soon. "With all do respect, Sir, I have to argue that and say I am alright."

The King lifted his hand from Link's shoulder, placing it back by his side. "Very well then.", he said. "Let us begin another topic… Leila. She has been growing all too fast."

"Yes.", Link agreed. "Seems like yesterday she was just born."

"Yes, well, she's coming to the age where she is going to need a bodyguard, just in case, and Impa is getting rather old to follow a energized child around. I have been looking for eligible men to protect her."

"I see.", said Link, making him proceed.

"One person keeps coming up in my head. I just can't think of a anyone better to do it.", he said, scratching his white beard.

"Who would that be?", Link asked, curious to see who would be Leila's protector.

"Well,", said the King, leaning back in his throne. "Would you be interested?"

Link gaped at the King, not believing his ears. "Really?", he asked, stunned.

"She trusts you the most.", said the King. "I feel it would be a wise choice."

Link smiled, excited by the offer. "Wow! I'd be honored.", he exclaimed. "Thank you!"

"No need for thanks, my boy.", said the King, lifting up his hand. "Could you start next week?"

Link could've jumped up and hugged the King, but he restrained himself from doing so. "I'd love to!", he replied excitedly.

"Very well.", sad the King. "It is set then. I trust you will take residence here in order of closeness in the event that something should happen and we need you quickly."

"Fine with me.", replied Link.

"Oh, yes. Keep in mind that Leila has a big imagination. She might say some odd things, but don't pay attention to it.", the King said nervously. "I apologize for anything she might say in the future. She can get really carried away. You know little kids."

"I understand.", Link said, though wondering what he meant. Leila had an imagination, yes, but it never seemed like anything to get riled up about.

"Right then.", said the King. "I must apologize. I have important matters to attend to today and I cannot keep you company. Do you wish to stay the night?"

"No thanks.", Link replied. "I'm going to dinner with my friend later on. I will take my leave after spending some time with Leila."

"You are dismissed then.", he said, standing up to shake his hand goodbye. "It was nice to see you again Link."

"You too, Sir.", said Link, shaking his hand and leaving the room with a big smile.

Link didn't have a second to himself upon exiting the room, due to Leila, who had been waiting for him there.

"How'd it go?", she asked. "What did my father say?"

"Well, let's just say, you'll be seeing more of me from now on.", Link replied walking down the hall, Leila beside him.

She jumped up with a squeak. "He hired you as my bodyguard didn't he?"

"Yeah.", Link said. "How'd you know?"

"He's been talking about it ever since there was a scare.", explained Leila. "My dad thinks I might get kidnapped or something."

Link looked down curiously at Leila. "I never heard of any scare.", he said, with an eyebrow raised.

"Dad doesn't want anyone to know.", she whispered secretly. "He said it was confidential."

Link laughed, wondering if she even knew what confidential meant. "Well, then, I don't think he has anything to worry about. I'm here now.", he said.

The two walked into the library, a place where they spent most of Link's visiting time. He would tell or read her stories, and she would eventually fall asleep. Other than that, he usually kept her company while she ate cookies or played with Winnie, her Maltese.

"Link, before you arrived I was painting. You can go sit with Impa if you like.", she said politely, walking over to her "masterpieces", and gathering them up in her arms. "I'm just going to put these up in my room."

Impa, who was sitting by the fire, looked back at Link with a smile. "You again.", she said teasingly. "I thought I told you to leave here."

"Har har, Impa.", Link replied sarcastically, sitting down across her. "How are you?"

"Meh.", she responded, waving her hand dismissively. "All is dull. How about you"?"

"I just got the best job of my life.", Link said with a grin. "I'm Leila's new bodyguard."

Impa clapped her hands, saying, "Good for you, Link! Goddesses know, you're the one for the job."

"Thanks.", he said, leaning back in the comfortable chair.

Impa looked towards the door. The one that Leila had scampered out of just seconds ago. "She's a funny little thing, isn't she?"

"What do you mean by that?", Link asked, relaxing and closing his eyes.

"Well, do you know any other five year old with such manners? I'm impressed. She doesn't even have an instructor. Comes naturally.", she said.

There was a sudden sound of feet scurrying across the hall. Leila was back. She ran into the room, little Winnie right after her.

Link rolled his eyes as the dog came up him and began in a fit of barking, a routine by now.

"Oh, Winnie.", Leila cried. "Leave him be. He doesn't care to hurt you."

Link held back a laugh, seeing as this wasn't entirely true. For some odd reason,he and that dog did not mix, and probably never would.

Leila placed herself on the rug after taking the dog into another room. She grabbed a cookie and began to speak.

"We've missed you so much Link. Why don't you visit a lot anymore?" she asked, taking a bite of the sugar cookie.

"Well, I'm going to stay here now, so you don't have to worry about that anymore.", said Link, getting hungry, and grabbing a cookie for himself.

"That makes us very happy.", she said with a smile. "So very happy."

"Speak for yourself.", said Impa, followed by a wink, just to say she was joking. Then she took a book off of the side table, opening it to read and detach herself from the conversation.

Later that day, when it was beginning to become dark, Link said his farewells, promising he'd be back next week.

Leila didn't want him to go though. "Oh please.", she cried. "Can't you just forget about dinner and stay with us?"

They were standing at the front entrance of the castle. A knight, on duty, watched, amused, as the girl pleaded for him to stay.

"Sorry Leila.", Link said apologetically. "I'm going to have to go. Think, the sooner I'm gone, the sooner I'll be back.."

Leila let go of him, crossing her arms with a pout. "You better be right.", she said. Then, just like all the goodbyes they always had, with the same, grave, serious voice, she said it once again. "Be careful."

Link smiled down at her, saying, "Am I ever anything but?"

With that she was satisfied, standing next to the knight who would guide her back to her room once Link left. She waved her hand goodbye as Link turned to leave.

But just as he was making his way down the steps, she said something that made him stop.

"She misses you dearly, you know.", said Leila. "Please keep that in mind."

Link took a moment to think about it. It hit him hard deep down, but he remembered what the King had said about her imagination. And with that, he was off again, without another word or a glance back.

Link and Jesamay sat together in the restaurant. Something they made a habit of every Friday just to celebrate the end of the week. She had told him that there was something important she had to say, and he was curious to find out.

"Link, I'm so happy for you. Your finally getting out there.", said Jesamay. "Everyone will be so proud of you. That job is one of the best in Hyrule."

"I know, can you believe it?", Link exclaimed. "It's going to be nice to see Leila more often."

"She is a sweetheart, that one.", Jesamay agreed, looking down at her menu. "I'm sure when Romani has her child, the two could be friends."

"Yeah.", said Link. "I suppose so."

"Link?", Jesamay asked. "Do you plan to have any children? Ever?"

Link looked down at his menu, feeling uncomfortable. "At one time, I did.", he answered.

"Tis a shame to be wasting such good traits.", Jesamay said sadly. "If she was still here, I know you two would have beautiful children."

It hit a spot, but she didn't mean it do. She hadn't heard the conversation Zelda and He had about a family. He could just hear Zelda gushing abut having three children and living where no one would bother them. It was as clear as the day he had that conversation.

"Thanks.", Link managed to say. "So what is it that you wanted to tell me anyway?"

"Link… Do you plan to do anything with your life?", she said, going back to the subject.

"Yeah, I do have a good job now.", Link said, confused to where this was going.

"No, I mean, everyone's growing up. We all are going to find someone and get married. Where does that leave you?", Jesamay asked.

Not another one of these talks. He had heard so much of this already.

Link sighed, placing down his menu. "Why are you so concerned about this, Jesamay?"

Jesamay looked him straight in the eyes. "Well, I'm looking out for you. That's what friends do. I just don't want you to get left behind is all. Everyone is falling in love and becoming happy. Where are you in this?"

"I was in love.", said Link. "And your one to talk. You haven't got a solid career or someone of your own."

"Your wrong.", Jesamay said, looking toward the ground.

'What?", Link asked, surprised by her quick response.

"I'm…I'm setting out to find myself.", said Jesamay.

Link attention was suddenly, fully intact. "What are you getting to?"

Jesamay breathed deeply, looking solemn. "I'm leaving."

Link's muscles tensed and he felt like he was going to fall over. "What?", he said. "Where?"

"Far away. Too far to ever visit.", she said, biting her lip. "I leave in a month."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?", he asked, hurt that she didn't. They had become such good friends over the years, and yet, at times, he wanted to smack some sense into her.

"I couldn't until now.", she explained. "I knew you wouldn't take it as easily as Malon or Cremia."

"You told them? How long did they know?", he asked hysterically.

"Um… about a month or two.", she said, feeling guilty.

Link sighed, brushing back his shaggy hair, thinking of something to say. He just felt all too mad though. And then again, sad, for loosing a friend and not being in the circle.

"I can't believe you guys would keep this from me. Especially Cremia. She's the honest one.", Link said, trying to keep himself from getting even more angry.

Jesamay eyed him sadly. "We figured you had enough stress right now. You were looking for a job and you didn't need the extra weight on your shoulders."

"Yeah, well, waiting just adds more to it.", he mumbled. "I can't see why you want to leave us. We're all like family now. Why are you breaking that up?"

"Link, you have to understand that there is nothing for me here.", said Jesamay. "If I don't leave now, nothing good will come of it."

Link took a sip of his drink, saying, "Your lucky, Jesamay. Very lucky."

"Why's that?", she asked, looking up at him.

"Because if it weren't a Friday, and I just hadn't gotten a new job, I would probably kill you."

"Gee, thanks.", she said with a laugh, returning to her menu.

i appologize if there are any spacing mistakes... i think it has to do with the editor. it's being stupid on me. :(

if you think J n L r going out...reread it NOW

Thank you all for the reviews. you guys are wonderful. And then…there are some that are not….

Deemed: whether you think it's rude or not, its very disrespectful to try and change something that you have no business in changing in the first place. You are focusing too hard on this that your not even paying attention to the important parts. These girls are like sisters to him. Don't you hug your guy friends in a friendly way? Or just plain friends for that matter? This is life and I'm trying to make the story as real as possible. And life doesn't always go your way. This is a story, and in order to write one you need to make it believable. Do you expect him to just sit there moping around after fiveyears? This is not the average story where everything goes perfect, and you should know that by now after reading Runaway. AND this is NOT Mal/Link. You totally discarded the fact that they were never in love and it was even mentioned that he never loved her, just cared for her like a friend. This is what life is. People have pasts. In order to make these characters seem real, you need them to have a past, feelings, and all the things real people have. I refuse to change my plot just because you don't like it. It's not my problem, and if you can't handle it, then don't read this.

Moonbeam: well no one said you had to read. Here's some advise: Don't make assumptions before you know the whole story. If you don't like this story, there are plenty on that follow the "perfect" story line. Which are all too predictable. I like to be creative.

Now to the respectable people here. Ones who actually matter: Here's some question's answered.

Q: Who is Leila's mother? Did the king remarry?

A: the new Queen is her mother. Yes, he remarried. It was only mentioned once in Runaway so I don't blame you for forgetting.

Q. What's the scary part?

A. Don't worry. We just have to get into the story first. It will come. And when your reading it late one night, it can possibly scare you. So make sure you read it when your home alone! lol : )

Some responses I must attend to:

Ladyakki: I think it's this editor thing, cause when I try to edit something…It sometime messes up the text. Is anyone else having this problem…oooo…I have a question: is anyone having trouble editing their profile too? This sux.. :P

Kat: sigh... I know exactly what your feeling. :D

Bye guys! Oh…and review don't flame…