Chapter 14
Link steered Epona through the mist, remembering his first time in the forest. He had been riding Epona, when two faeries had startled him.
When he had awoken, a strange imp wearing a mask had been playing with his ocarina. The ocarina Zelda had given to him.
That had been Link's first adventure after slaying Ganondorf. That had been after he had found his Princess once again…
FLASHBACK
It was very hot that day. The sun was beating down unmercifully on Hyrule, and not a cloud was in sight to provide any source of shade.
Even though he was hot and sticky, Link was determined to find her.
Ever since he had awoken as a ten year old again, Link was determined to find Princess Zelda. He had fallen so hopelessly in love with her that it hurt. Every time he thought of her, his chest would tighten.
At ten years old, he wondered how he could have those feelings. He had doubted that after returning to the past that he would still be in love with Princess Zelda.
He was wrong.
He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep. All he could do was daydream about Princess Zelda, and remember the small moments they had had together.
Link smirked as he made his way easily past the guards. Even after the time he had spent away, he could still manage.
He put his blade away, and tiptoed across the cobblestone walkway. He dared not breathe as he watched the beautiful, young girl from the shadows.
She sat upon an oddly shaped rock near a pond, playing with a flower. Her eyes were closed as she continued playing with the petals, humming softly. Her golden locks were in a messy bun on the back of her head, a few strands sticking to her neck and cheeks.
She was dressed in only her underclothes, which were an off white color. Her fragile looking skin seemed to blend in with them. Her feet were bare, her toes kissing the water.
Link cleared his throat softly, and then took a small step.
Princess Zelda immediately turned, standing as she did so.
"Who are you?" She spat nervously.
At once, Link stepped from the shadows, eyeing her shyly.
"It's me Princess Zelda. It's Link."
Once the words left his mouth, the Triforce on the back of his hand glowed. The one on the back of Princess Zelda's did so too.
"Link." She gasped, clutching her chest.
Before Link could say anything else, the Princess fainted into the pond, a soft sigh escaping her body as she did so.
"Princess!" Link cried, rushing to her side.
He lifted her head, and used his other arm to loop around her delicate waist. Her eyelids twitched, and Link breathed a sigh of relief as her beautiful, blue eyes opened.
"L-Link…is it really you?" She breathed, touching his cheek.
"Yes Princess, it really is me." He answered, his cheeks turning red as she touched him.
Princess Zelda smiled.
"Please Link, call me Zelda."
Link smiled back at her before helping the girl to her feet.
"Zelda."
END OF FLASHBACK
Link looked down at Zelda.
She was asleep, her face resting softly against the crook of his neck. Her breathing was deep and even as she slept. Her arms were wrapped loosely around Link's waist, while he had one of his own arms around her waist.
He gently kissed the top of her head before returning his eyes to the forest ahead of him.
Nabooru was behind him, leading the Kokiri. Link was the only one with a horse, and although he offered letting others ride, they all insisted he and Zelda ride.
Zelda suddenly tightened her hold around Link's waist.
At first he though she was awake, but then she started mumbling incoherently. Link tried to make out her words, but she then began speaking louder.
"Link…no. Don't…don't leave me. Don't leave me Link." She whimpered.
His face saddened, and he felt guilty for having to separate himself from her. Everyone Zelda loved was already separated from her, and now, he was leaving too.
She thrashed around, and Link found it difficult to steer Epona as she did so.
He held up the hand that had held Epona's reigns, and called for everyone to stop and rest for awhile.
Once he heard the footsteps stop, he turned his attention back to Zelda.
"Zelda." He murmured into her hair.
He kept repeating her name in a very soothing way, his arms wrapped around her. Soon, Zelda awoke.
"Restless sleep?" Link asked softly as her eyes flickered up to meet his.
She nodded, and rested her head against his shoulder.
"Tell me." He pressed his cheek against the side of her head.
"It was horrible Link. We were in the middle of battle, and I was suddenly trapped by a pack of Gerudos. My weapons were gone, and so I called to you, but you didn't come. They killed me." She muttered into his tunic.
"It was only a dream my Zelda." He whispered.
She turned her head slightly, but Link kept his cheek against her head.
"And if it wasn't?"
"It was." He argued sternly.
He wouldn't accept Zelda dying. If she died, he would die along with her.
Everyone had to get used to the harsh winds once more, and by daybreak, they were pretty much numb to it.
As Link spotted Termina, his heart sunk with grief. He would part with Zelda soon, and he didn't know if he could leave her.
Link also spotted a fair sized huddle of brown figures. His face brightened a little when he saw the Gorons. It had been awhile since he had visited them.
Once he reached them, Link hopped off of Epona and went to Darunia.
Usually he fought the backbreaking hugs, but this time, Link embraced it. Darunia seemed to hug Link twice as hard.
"How are you Sworn Brother?" Darunia asked in his deep voice.
"Fine." Link squeaked, cracking his neck.
Darunia chuckled, and smiled when he saw Zelda walking towards them.
"Ah, Princess Zelda," he gave her a quick hug, "as beautiful as ever."
"Thank you Darunia." Zelda smiled, and Darunia seemed to understand that she meant more than just for the compliment.
"Anything for you Princess. Now, Link…I wish to go over plans with you." Darunia put his arm around Link, and led him away.
Zelda turned to face Nabooru and the Kokiri as they walked up.
"Let's rest a moment before heading out." She offered a weak looking smile, and sat down near Epona.
Saria sat next to Zelda, and grabbed her hand.
"Everything will be okay." She assured Zelda.
"I hope so Saria."
"It will be. Peace will return to Hyrule before you know it."
Zelda smiled, instantly warmed by the little girl's confidence.
"Thank you Saria."
Once everyone had rested up, Zelda went to confer the plans with Nabooru. They studied maps, picking the best routes to take and when to make their stops.
She felt a little more confident. The journey would last a week at the most, and then she would be with Link again.
Zelda looked up and realized that the Kokiri were already headed towards the bay. She could see Epona and it's solemn rider leading them.
"Hang on Nabooru." She muttered, and ran as fast as she could after the Kokiri.
"Zelda?" Saria asked, watching her run past.
At the sound of his love's name, Link turned in the saddle to see Zelda pushing through the Kokiri towards him.
He jumped down and ran to her, meeting her halfway in a tight embrace.
"You didn't think you were leaving without saying goodbye," Zelda choked through her tears, "did you?"
Link grinned down at Zelda when he pulled back. He wiped away her tears, and grinned wider when she smiled.
"I didn't know if you wanted me to say goodbye."
"I don't."
Link cocked his head to the side, and was about to speak when Zelda pressed two fingers to his lips.
"I want you to say goodbye for now. This isn't forever."
Link kissed her fingers, and then captured her lips with his, earning a few snickers from the Kokiri.
When he pulled back, he held her face in his hands.
"Look at me Zelda." He ordered gently, staring into those blue orbs that rendered him breathless. "I will see you again soon."
She nodded, and he let go of her face.
"Until then, keep me update." He nodded to the messenger.
"I will, I promise. You do the same."
"Promise." He smiled, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before turning away.
Once he was in the saddle, he dare didn't turn back to watch Zelda disappear. He feared that if he did, he wouldn't be able to leave her.
Zelda fell to her knees as Epona led the Kokiri away, and she cried.