Hello, and welcome to chapter fourteen! Thank you so much to all my reviewers for the feedback. This is the next to the last chapter, but I have been formulating ideas for a sequel. If you have anyideas for it, please feel free to let me know! Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda series, in whole or in part.

Hearing Zelda's shriek, Dark Link turned towards the direction of the doorway and discovered his nemesis, who had since stepped out of the shadow. He started running, jumped, and attempted a downward thrust on Link. But, as usual, the hero was two steps ahead of him. Link stepped back, causing Dark Link to miss and crash to the floor.

Not easily shaken, Dark Link sprang to his feet and lunged at Link, who easily blocked his attack with the shield, as he stabbed at his likeness from below it. Dark Link was knocked backwards by the blow, flashing with anger. He charged at Link and faked a high attack, instead striking low. Link saw his intent just in time and easily blocked the attack, stabbing Dark Link on his upper body. Dark Link again flashed with anger as the attack forced him back.

Seeing her beloved, Zelda suddenly rediscovered her strength. With the guards and the Wizzrobe distracted by the battle, she cast a spell on them that turned them into Bots. Their weapons clattered to the floor, and she picked up one and easily disposed of the evil creatures.

Link saw her out of the corner of his eye and glowed with pride as he continued to defend himself from Dark Link's nearly relentless, but futile, attempts. Finally, after several strikes, Dark Link stood before Link as if paralyzed. He flashed for a few seconds before disintegrating.

"Link!" Zelda screamed again, rushing to him. His arms reached out to her, picking her up and swinging her around in a circle. Gently setting her on her feet, he leaned in, and they shared a heated kiss.

"I love you so much," she breathed, her head spinning.

"I love you, too. To think, I could've lost you to... to him," Link responding, gesturing towards a portrait of Dark Link that hung on the wall above the altar. The eyes seemed to move, as if watching them, sending chills down both of their spines.

"Let's get out of this awful place," Zelda said, hugging Link tighter.

"Gladly."

As the two emerged from the Great Palace, they noticed how sunny it was, making the whole scene much less gloomy. At the cave entrance, they took one last look at the palace, vowing never to see it again except in illustrations. They made their way through the lava beds, and were relieved that they didn't encounter any of Dark Link's minions. It was as if the creatures already knew of their master's death and cowered in the presence of the brave couple. They reached Kasuto at sunset and were happy to find that the town's residents also knew of Dark Link's defeat and were therefore able to return and start rebuilding things. Little shelters already stood, acting as temporary housing. After dining with several of the townspeople, they rented one of the shelters and stayed the night, going to bed early due to exhaustion.

Zelda snuggled up next to Link, resting her head on his bare chest. "I want to hear all about your journey," she whispered.

"Are you sure, my love?" he inquired, stroking her long brown hair.

"Yes."

Link spent several minutes cataloging his adventure. He wanted to omit certain details involving points at which his life was seriously threatened. But when he remembered her bravery in the face of danger during her imprisonment, he resolved not to keep secrets from her. When he finished, Zelda told him of her time at the Great Palace, everything from discovering the room full of magical things to how Dark Link and the guards treated her.

As the last of the noise died down, Zelda and Link continued to kiss and hold each other.

"I missed this so much, my hero," Zelda sighed happily, pulling the blankets up higher to help ward off the chill of the night air.

"Me, too, my love," Link whispered back, pulling her closer as he stifled a yawn. "Good night."

"Good night."

Zelda turned and blew out the candle before placing her head back on Link's chest. Exhausted, both easily fell asleep.

With the coming of the dawn, Link awoke to find his beloved still sleeping in the same position in which she'd first entered the world of the subconscious. Not wanting to stir too much, lest he wake her, he just lay there, watching her. He was awed by her beautiful hair spread out all about her, and the feel of her breath on his bare skin. He instinctively pulled her even closer and lightly rubbed her back, causing her to wake.

"Good morning," she whispered cheerfully, sitting up to give him a kiss.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," he grinned, lovingly stroking her face. "Ready to go home?"

"As soon as I eat, I'm starved," she answered, her smile widening.

"That's my princess," Link chuckled.

The two quickly arose and dressed, then packed their things. They left town after breakfast, thanking the residents for their hospitality and wishing them the best of luck, promising to visit soon and help with the rebuilding. Eager to get home, the two made their way to the path through the mountains, then through a cave and some plains. Upon nearing Nabooru, they stopped for a quick meal, deciding to press on to the harbor upon realizing that they could easily reach Mido before sunset.

The two crossed on raft to the West Island, arriving in Mido as the earliest signs of nightfall began to show. After enjoying a hearty dinner, they perused the shops in town before going to an inn to rent a room.

Link flopped onto the large bed, worn out from the long journey. As he rested on his stomach, Zelda sat at his side, brainstorming.

"My love, let's get married," she proclaimed.

"What do you mean, Zelda? We're going to get married soon after our return to the castle," Link mumbled sleepily into the mattress.

"But I don't want to wait. Let's elope. We don't have to tell anyone."

"Are you sure?" he asked, rolling onto his back and sitting up to look her in the eyes.

"Positive."

"If that's what you want, I'll go make the arrangements right now," Link said, jumping up excitedly.

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