Chapter 18: Link's Confession
"You survived. Good thing too, or Hyrule would be in a bad way", said Denpolent. "Also, I'd be out a couple hundred rupees?"
"WHAT?" asked Link incredulously. "You bet on whether or not I'D DIE?"
"Hey hey hey, calm down. I bet on you to survive, so calm down. Anyhow, to more important matters, you have to find Ganondorf"
"Do you know where he went?"
"No, but there isn't anywhere else to go but down the mountain".
"I kind of figured that out"
"Ask question, get answer"
"Right. Anyhow, you said there was a shortcut down the mountain. Where is it?"
"In back of this tower, there is a series of small cliffs jutting out from the mountain where you can easily descend".
"That's less dangerous?"
"Well it's better than a rickety old bridge that was cut off, now isn't it?"
"Alright. Thanks. Now is there a shorter way I can get off this tower"
"And live? No".
"Alright. I best be going".
"Good bye, Link, and don't die"
"I won't"
Link went to the trap door in the floor of the top of the tower and went through it, beginning his long descent towards the bottom. Going down the long winding staircase, Link decided that he was going to see Zelda after he got off the mountain. Link reached the bottom and where the words of Damiani had been before was now solid stone. They had disappeared with the defeat of the vulture. Link went through the trap door below him into the blood soaked room that once contained Moblins. Forging on ahead, Link went down to the floor below him where he encountered Denpolent, and made his way through with ease. He fell through the trap door ungracefully, and landed on the chunks of stone that were once a statue. After taking a moment to gather himself, Link got up and dusted himself off, and continued his descent. Link found the trapdoor in the ceiling and climbed down the ladder. Now Link was in the room where he was nearly killed by moblins who ambushed him. Continuing on, not wishing to remember that incident, Link went through the door to the other room, and hooked his grappling hook on the edge of the window. Link rappelled down the side of the tower to the ground floor, and entered a window. Link finally reached the bottom, and exited the tower.
Link went around the tower, and just as Denpolent said, found the cliffs. Taking his time, Link made his way down these cliffs. After many cliffs, many near falls, and various bruises sustained while Link made his way down, Link reached the bottom of the mountain. Link then went to Kakariko Village to retrieve Epona. Link rode through Kakriko Village where he made his way to Hyrule Castle. Upon arriving, he was greeted by Mihalich. Link tied up Epona, and went to the garden to see Zelda. Upon entering the gardens, Link saw Zelda and ran up to her and hugged her.
"I missed you, Zelda."
"I missed you too, Link. Now, I will say that you have done an impressive job, saving six sages. Only one remains at the Floating Castle. Ganondorf will probably attack there next"
"I know. But he can wait. I've wanted to see you for so long."
"Well I suppose that you are correct. Since you are here, I don't suppose I could interest you in a picnic, could I?"
"Of course you could. Let's go"
Link and Zelda walked hand in hand as they exited Hyrule Castle and found a nice tree under which to settle and eat. Link and Zelda ate their food, while occasionally feeding each other. After finishing, they laid back and took in the landscape. Then, they gazed into each other's eyes and shared a kiss. Then, they walked hand in hand back towards Hyrule Castle. Link and Zelda said their goodbyes in the garden, and Link went to see the king, to check how many swords were needed. After receiving an order for five swords, Link exited the Castle, mounted Epona, and rode back to his house, deciding that he needed a little rest before going to confront Ganondorf at the Floating Castle, where Ganondorf was bound to show up next. The next morning, Link woke up and started to make the swords, convincing that he did need to make a living still, despite his also being the chosen one to save Hyrule, all the while thinking of Zelda. After a day of sword making, Link called it a day, and went to bed, convincing himself that it was best that he got more sleep before he went to the Floating Castle. That night Link dreamt about Zelda. After Link woke up, he ate breakfast, and packed up his swords, and went to deliver them to the king.
Upon arriving at the Castle, Link was once again greeted by Mihalich, who took Epona and tied it up for him. Link made his way towards the throne room, where he found the king sitting on the throne.
"Link, didn't expect to see you so soon"
"I put in a full day yesterday of making these."
"I see. So that comes to one hundred fifty rupees, correct?"
"Yes sir. Actually, there is something I've been meaning to ask you"
"Yes?"
"Well, you see, I love your daughter, Zelda. And I was wondering if it would be alright with you if I asked her to take my hand in marriage"
A tear welled up in the king's eye. "Oh yes, Link. You've made me so happy today. I've always known that you two were right for each other. Go to the garden, she's in there. Good luck, my boy".
"Thank you sir"
Link made his way to the garden where he found Zelda sitting down on the grass beside a small bird bath.
"Zelda, how are you?"
"Link? Is that you? Shouldn't you be out fighting Ganondorf?"
"Yes, well, truth be told, I haven't been feeling my fittest lately. I've been wrestling with my emotions, Zelda. I know that I have to go face Ganondorf, but I don't want to go face him. I had to convince myself that I was unable to face him. I'm scared, Zelda. These past few battles I've had before I saw you the day before yesterday have scared me. I've nearly died, Zelda. I don't want to die. I want to live, Zelda."
"Well, fear is only what you make it, Link. Courage is not being unafraid; it is being able to overcome those fears, Link. I know you have the courage to do it. Just look at what you've already done. You've done what no other man has done by going into the wonders and defeating the beasts. I know you can do it Link. I believe in you"
"Well there is one other thing, Zelda"
"What's that?"
"Well, I've been wondering about something. When this is all over, and I've defeated Ganondorf, and Hyrule is safe, I was wondering if you would...consider...maybe...marrying me?"
Tears of joy ran from Zelda's eyes. "Oh yes, Link. Yes, I will. You have always been the one for me, I knew it from the first time I met you."
Suddenly, Mihalich ran in to the garden. "Link, Princess Zelda, there is urgent news. Ganondorf is at the Floating Castle!"
"Well, Zelda", began Link. "This is it. I am going to finish off Ganondorf when I get there, and then, you and I will be able to live together".
Link began exit the garden but he was pulled back on the arm by Zelda.
"Wait, Link"
"Yes?"
"Don't die, Link." With that, Zelda kissed Link on the lips, while Mihalich turned his head way to give them privacy.
"Zelda, I'll be back in no time at all, and Hyrule will be safe. I promise".
Link exited the Castle and untied Epona. He mounted her, and rode to his house. Stopping there, he gathered his gear up, and then made his way to the Floating Castle at the End of Charted Territory.
