I've decided to double the length of the chapters so the updating might suffer somewhat as my writers block continues to build as the plot thickens

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Consequences of a promise chapter 4

Link hated this feeling that now plagued his mind, this lack of control, to be spiralling out of control down a path set by someone else's will. It had been years since he had lost any kind of control over his life. There had been nothing he couldn't handle just by keeping a level head and steady hand. But this… this was far from being in control and he hated it. He just sat there on the bed set out for him as people ran about putting the last finishing touches to his 'big day,' moping with his head in his hands his ruffled hair still dripping wet hanging limply over his shoulders from his little 'swim' with Ruto. He tried to think of a reason to back out of this… oh he'd came up with plenty but each one was just an evil lie and he prided himself on his integrity so that was out of the question. He could just tell her the truth and say that he didn't love her and he only took the sapphire to save the country… he sighed heavily, again that was out of the question, that would tear out her heart, he'd done something similar to that before… in another life.

He now knew that other the sages had also remembered everything and it really wasn't fair to put her through it all again. After all it really was his fault for being oblivious on both accounts.

"Stand UP!"

"Huh?"

"Stand up sir I need your measurements" Link was forced to his feet as the tailor whipped out a large measuring tape and begin his work paying little heed to Link as he forcibly held out his limbs and hurriedly scribbled down his measurements

"Take it easy I am not a display dummy!"

"No time… No time everything needs to be finished by tonight. By order of the king" he said while recording Links inner leg length "hmmm I think we have the perfect outfit for you. Now stay here and I will fetch it" it sounded more like an order than a request… it seemed Link wasn't the only one reluctant over the whole marriage idea he must have been brought in from Hyrule just for this event

'I wonder how he's dealing with the damp.'

"Like I have a choice" he grumbled. The porters now gone and things had begun to quiet down Link decided it was about time to take a decent look at his new lodgings after all he may have to spend some time here. At first glance it was obvious the ever-loving Ruto had tried her best to make it how she thought he'd like it...perhaps she knew the truth about his feelings for her and that if she made it feel homely enough he'd stick around that bit longer. Link shook the thought from his mind it really made no difference to him he had to stay at the very least until the world need saving again. The room itself wasn't overly big it even had a balcony carved out of the rock which opened up into a breathtaking view of the ocean he stood there for a moment admiring the beauty and breathing in the salty air before heading back in, working his way around the room he notice that the walls were smooth, worked and painted into detailed but exaggerated murals of his forgotten adventure, he sighed and smiled softly. He appreciated the thought but anyone looking at this will probably think he's glorifying himself to be something he wasn't, aside from that there was two dressers in the corner with a small table on either side 'least she got me someplace to stash my clothes in I suppose' he had to question her logic though. She could have easily gotten him a room outside the main cave, away from all this water. How was he supposed to keep his things dry when everything in this kingdom was constantly in the water? He'd need to speak to her about that.

"Link! Link… you have to come quickly!" a scream from below called out to him and he smiled to himself as he bolted for the door the tailor had poor taste in timing he met link as he was halfway down the stairs

"STOP! we still need to get you ready…" grinning like a child he simply picked up his pace and arched his step running along the wall up and over his head (a little trick he picked up in the jungles of Baiton) the main room burst into view as the stairs arched around the back of the waterfall and out into the dry fields of Hyrule.

Down the hill was Skull Kid with Epona his small frame flying around as Epona reared high whipping her head left and right.

"Pleeeeeeease Link sort out this craaaaaaazy horse!" Link sat on a nearby rock and pulled out his Ocarina and began to play Epona's favourite song and as the sweet notes floated gently on the wind the wild horse threw Skull Kid to the ground and trotted to links side nuzzling her head into his chest

"Skull kid? What are you doing here?" he asked as he stroked Epona tenderly, then his head sank low "Don't tell me you're here for the wedding?" he winced at the word

"Wedding… what're you talking about? I just saw your horse running round with no-one on it, I tried sorting her out. But she must be still upset I hit her that time…. and she just ran here like she was possessed when I tried to hold her reigns!" there was an odd silence as he took in what Link had said before "… wedding? Who's tying the knot? Don't tell me…" he began bouncing up and down holding onto Links free hand, Link grimaced as Tatl and Tael buzzed to life from the confines of Skull Kids hat

"So who's the lucky lady then Link?" Tatle chimed

"…"

"What? I didn't hear you. Speak up!" Tael this time the purple fairy flitted in front of his eyes trying to get him to speak up but before he could two long damp arms wrapped themselves round his waist gently and Link face paled for the umpteenth time today

"Me!" the soft resonant voice spoke followed by a giggle

"Really…! so can I… urm… come to the wedding?" Skull Kid asked with a weak smile

"Can we!" Tatle corrected

'No support from any of my friends! I swear when will I wake from this nightmare?'

"Sure! Any friend of Links is a friend of mine" the two fairies tinkled happily as the duck faced imp wooted then rushed inside. Link wanted to follow them but he could still feel the tender embrace from Ruto who still had her arms wrapped around him. He couldn't help but smile despite himself, so many things had changed over the years and maybe just maybe things could be different this time.

"You've sure mellowed out over the years. I remember times when you where so high strung it scared me at times." There was an odd silence "Ruto… is something wrong?" the gentle arms where gone from his waist he turned round to look at her expecting her to be like every time he'd seen her lately happy and smiling as if the world could do no wrong, instead she was holding herself tightly the smile that once lightened her unique face replaced by a sadness that seemed to eat away at his very soul. It was something about how she moved, half-heartedly wiping away the tears that began to break free trying to hide it from him holding herself tightly "W…what's wrong? Did I say something to upset you…? I'm sorry if I've offended you I meant it as a compliment I swear" he rose to his feet and held out his arms to comfort her but with every step he took forward she took one away "Ruto? Is something wrong? You can tell me cant you?" he said compassionately

"Are we doing the right thing?" Link was knocked aback. Wasn't she the one who was pressing this wedding on him?

"What do you mean doing the right thing?" asked dumbfounded

"The wedding… us! I'm… I… I don't know"

"What brought this on? You yourself said you've waited two lifetimes didn't you? I thought you wanted this!"

"I did… I do!"

"So… why the sudden change in heart? Has someone said something to you?

"…"

"Who was it?" he growled

"Zelda" "She said I would never be good enough for you. That you're only marrying me out of pity for me… the fish girl

"ZELDA!" he spat the word out like venom "this has gone on long enough!" He was furious; the thing was he really didn't know why. Why? It was true. Wasn't it? Even so nobody should be allowed to make people feel worthless and he was going to go up there and give her a piece of his mind

"WAIT!..." she shouted stopping Links march to confront the Queen Bitch "I… is it true?" there was an uncomfortable silence as Link pondered his response he'd start to speak but every time he opened his mouth nothing came out

"I…I" he felt so unsure of himself it was scaring him

"Now this may be interesting to watch but things have gone on long enough" an unknown red robed figure cut him off. He just stood there at the base of the waterfall her face covered by the shadows cast by her hood. Link was confused, she wasn't wet so she hadn't just come through the falls and he could've sworn no-one had walked up the path while he was talking. Had the wedding day flustered him that much that he had failed to notice someone sneaking up on him? "Hand over the princess Link and no-one gets hurt" a slender tanned hand came out through the folds of the dark robe. Drawing the Kokori sword he urged Ruto behind him

"Stand back! I'll deal with this. She's not going anywhere. Not with you!"

"Suit yourself. Hy-ah" with a low hiss a funnel of fire shot from her fingers splitting in two it span around Link and Ruto creating a circular wall of fire.

"Think fast!" Ruto only managed a small Wha… before Link picked up in his arms and jumped out of the fire sailing through the air he dropped her onto the ground as charged screaming at the top of his lungs. The figure was unimpressed she'd heard rumours of this man and in all honesty she'd expected more, with a flick of her wrist the wall of fire took the shape of a large bird which flew at Link. Just as the phoenix like creature was about to hit him, he leapt into the air spinning slicing the bird into tiny pieces

"Nice try" the tips of her finger burst into flame and each wisp of the fragmented bird turned into smaller birds which engulfed the young hero. Each fiery beak tore at his skin with their searing flames crawling ever forward he ripped off his burning hat and the top of his green tunic he curled them around the flaming creatures and cast them into the torrent of the river. Panting heavily he brandished his blade firmly in his left hand the Tri-force of courage glowing brightly on the back of his hand. With each step forward his opponent belched out torrents of flame each stopped as Link swung the Kokori sword sending waves of force snuffing out the fire. "" scraping her foot through the soft ground in a circular motion she chanted, it seemed the youth lived up to his expectations and she needed to stop holding back as much if she intended to win. As she spoke her incantation a small orb of blue fire formed between her hands "impressive now can you handle this Hy-ah" with no small flourish she jumped high into the air hurling the small orb at hurtling speed, Link countered with a propeller motion of his sword sending more waves of energy at it…

"Yaaaaaaarrrrgh!" the orb hadn't slowed but it had shrunk in size considerably but the heat was unimaginable the magic of the blade did little to prevent the inevitable, it melted there and then burning Links hand as it dripped then hardened onto the cold damp grass "you bitch you'll pay for that. That was my memento of Kokori forest!"

"You relied too much on its power instead of your own anyway. You're better of without it" she said matter-of-factly

"LINK HELP!" Ruto screamed from down the hill fighting for her life and failing as a blue robed figure held her firmly the billowing fabric concealing any indication of the person concealed within

"Ruto!" with the tri-force in full glow and eyes of red and black he would put an end to these people. A yell and a push of his hand another wave of air sent the red robed figure sailing over the mountain top he was about to attack again but the river attacked him it was a strange sight, one minute he was stood staring down the kidnapper the next the river rose out of its banks and slammed its full weight down over him its current intensified as he desperately flailed for the surface, dragged under darkness consumed his view and he was smashed along the small tunnel to the water temple. In one geyser like eruption he was sent toward the beach; landing on his knees he skidded a few feet before standing up. Furiously he tore off his sleeve and bandaged his burnt hand then made his way wearily toward the exit. 'It was no use rushing now bye the time I could get back to Zora kingdom they'd be long gone with Ruto. But I will get her back! That I swear!' The large steel gates that barred his exit where torn clean off their hinges and thrown into the field in a mighty gust of wind. 'I will find them and when I do vengeance will be mine!'

Through his magic he watched the wisps of smoke spiralling around the image of Link smiling eagerly at his anger and torment "It's amazing how these unseen circumstances can further ones own plans. Bwhahahaha!" With a small smile he took another sip of his tea, his calculating mind working through the many ways he could exploit this situation even further. "Each step you take young man brings me ever closer to my goal." the red smoke cleared again taking and with it the picture of the destruction wrought by his young charge he placed the saucer down then opened another ominous cloud revealing a very large Hylian dressed as a royal guard "Norman I have a mission for you. You must intercept our young friend and bring him to the place he seeks. And at all costs keep him from learning the truth!"

"As you wish master" with a bow the image closed. Everything was proceeding smoothly

"Not much longer now. Not much longer at all"…