A/N: Well, here it is, the final chapter. I agonised over how to end the story and rewrote it about six times, so I hope you all like it!

To everyone who has reviewed, my deepest thanks. I'm really proud of this story and I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

Also, I posted the first chapter of my newest story, 'Society Ties', yesterday and I'd be most grateful if you'd check it out.

Muchos luv,

Silverpistola


Chapter 6

Love is doubtlessly cruel, but like oxygen and food, a life without it is impossible. In this place, Zelda would only ever exist. The knowledge of that made my heart heavy with despair, but there was hope for both of us, hope that she might escape and both of us may be freed from a life half-lived. And if there is hope, one must never give up.


Due to the lack of sunlight, Goron City was a hive of activity throughout the day. As Sheik entered with Link in tow he received friendly acknowledgement. Unlike the Hylians, Gorons were rarely discriminative and understood the pain of losing so many of their people. As such, they identified with the young Sheikah, the last of his tribe. As well as the gypsy boy who accompanied him.

"What are they?' Link whispered, casting curious glances around him.

"Gorons. A race of mountain dwellers with extraordinary strength and a collectivist culture. Very similar to your own people, I believe."

Link nodded, watching as the Gorons shifted rocks to build a new chamber in the city. The sight brought back memories of his community erecting tents together whenever they reached a new settlement and sharing the food the sons had hunted.

He also couldn't help noticing that the builders were all wearing crowns of flowers.

"Darunia," Sheik spoke, warmly. The Goron looked older than the others and had a brutal, slightly scarred face, a great contrast to his kind dark eyes.

Darunia smiled. "You must be little butterfly's brother."

"Little butterfly?"

"Yes. The Gorons like to give people nicknames. It's a sign of acceptance," Sheik explained. "I am fire eyes," he added, sheepishly.

"Fire eyes and Clear River," Darunia chuckled, deeply, "and Little Butterfly."

"Is the girl asleep?" Sheik asked.

"I think so. The Princess put her to bed a while ago."

Link closed his eyes. He had not expected to see her so soon.

"I'll show you the way," Darunia offered, gesturing to a ladder by his feet.

Link descended the ladder after Darunia, casting a final glance up at Sheik who nodded.

The sight of Zelda curled up next to Aretha warmed Link's heart and brought a smile to his lips. He couldn't keep his thoughts from drifting to the life they could have together. He had never wanted anything more.

If only he could make her understand that.

He sat on the edge of the bed, leaning across Zelda to touch his lips to her cheek. She stirred, slightly, sighing breezily. He closed his eyes and kissed her again, frightened by his need for her.

As he pulled away from her he saw that her eyes were open and she was crying.

"Don't," he told her, firmly.

The sight of her misery was more painful than he would have expected.

"Zelda," he murmured, shaking his head, "please don't."

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Are you?" He got to his feet, turning away from her. "I'm not."

She followed as he left the chamber, emerging in Darunia's throne room.

"I have something to say. And this time you're going to listen to what I think," he told her, his expression hard.

She nodded, numbly.

"Is this happiness, Zelda? Is this what you wanted?" He gritted his teeth, shaking his head. "Aretha loves you." He sighed, turning away from her. "I love you. Isn't that enough? Tell me, what love is there for you here?"

"I can't leave," she murmured.

"Why?" He demanded turning and grabbing her by the shoulders. "Zelda, you don't understand. I will never love anyone but you, there will never be another. I've never been bound to anywhere in my life, but I'm bound to you. And I don't want to be released."

It was the irony of their love. He had freed her and she had bound him.

"Link…"

"I'm taking Aretha away with me. We're going to live by the sea. I can fish with the locals and she can go to school."

Zelda held her breath, it was now or never. Would she fly or be left behind?

"Come with me," he said, softly, grazing her cheek with the back of his hand. "Come with us and be a gypsy queen."

Aretha was watching from the doorway, her eyes wide with wonder. Sheik held his hand to his heart, feeling Zelda's racing pulse. Darunia was watching his best builders weaving flowers with a roll of his eyes. King Harkinian was standing in the doorway of his daughters' empty room.

Zelda saw them all in that moment. And then she saw herself. Weeping over her Mother, crying for her broken heart. Sitting alone in class, separated from the other girls who envied her. Dancing under the moon with a gypsy boy, gazing up into his eyes.

"I don't want to be a Queen," she whispered.

"You don't have to be."


The waves rolled like scrolls of paper, back and forth, raking the sand from the shore and washing up new treasures. The air was warm and salty, washing over the docks with renewing force.

An unlikely character had dismounted his horse, ignoring the suspicious glances he was receiving from the townspeople. His stride was purposeful and his eyes seemed to be searching for someone as he paced along the dock.

"Tell me sir," he spoke, stopping before one of the smaller fishing boats, "where might I find a young man named Link?"

The men shrugged and the oldest arched a brow.

"Don't know no one named Link, son."

"Are you sure? A gypsy man?"

"Only Gypsy round here's Lex. You can find him at home with his lady wife."

The old man pointed in the direction of a small house on the far side of the little coastal village.

"Thank you sir."

He could recognise the horse, grazing nearby. There was no doubt that his instincts had led him to the right place.

And as if she had known all along, which she may well have, the door swung open.

"Sheik!" She cried, rushing to hug him.

"Zelda?" He replied, a small smile on his lips.

"Yes. We've come far enough now that I am free to use my own name again."

"Then why Lex?"

Zelda laughed. "He became fond of the name."

"You are married," Sheik stated, matter-of-factly.

"I may no longer be a royal, but that does not mean I have abandoned my values. Come on," Zelda closed the door behind her, "let's go for a walk."


"You look more beautiful than ever," Sheik told her.

Zelda wore freedom well. Though her skin remained pale as cream, there was more colour in her cheeks and lips. Her hair was wilder and her eyes were alive with that sparkle only Sheik had noticed.

"You're taller. Adulthood suits you, Sheik."

"How long have you been married?"

She smiled. "Two months. We wed once the talk had died down. I wish you could have been there."

"Around the same time as your Father."

Zelda nodded. "I heard he had remarried. Is she with child yet?"

"Yes."

"I wondered why they had stopped looking for me so suddenly."

They basked in a comfortable silence as Zelda plucked a shell from the sand.

"Will you come to see the child?"

Zelda looked thoughtful for a moment, before shaking her head. "I can't ever go back." She smiled sadly. "I do miss my Father and Impa too, but I have enough love here to free me from any homesickness."

Sheik cleared his throat.

"'Course sometimes I can't help but miss you," she said, nudging him, playfully.

He smiled. "Forgive me for waiting so long to visit. I knew in my heart you were safe."

Zelda smiled. "Running away was exhilarating. We travelled by night, arriving in a new town every day, just the three of us."

Sheik looked out at the waves.

"Why don't you leave the palace, Sheik? You could stay with us."

A ghost of a smile lingered on Sheik's lips. "I appreciate the offer, but I have plans," he told her, mysterious as ever.

"You'd make a good gypsy," she teased him.

"No. You make a good gypsy. Plato would be proud of you Zelda."

"I doubt that."

Zelda drew her toes back and forth across the sand.

"Link told me what you did."

Sheik was silent.

"He told me you asked him to take me with him."

"I did," Sheik agreed.

"Why? Why did you ask him Sheik?"

Sheik looked across the sea before answering.

"Part of me will always be with you, Zelda, and vice versa. So I didn't have to let you go, will never have to let you go. However, I feared that I might lose you if you stayed. Do you understand?"

Zelda nodded, holding back sad tears. She leaned over and kissed Sheik's cheek, startling him, though he did not show his surprise. His hand touched his cheek where she had kissed him, with an expression of mild wonder.

"Thank you," she whispered.


Epilogue

I rode away from the little house by the sea with a backward glance. Link had and arm around Zelda's waist and her head was resting on his shoulder as Aretha held her hand. They almost looked like one being, flowing into each other so easily. My opinion was not swayed, love was cruel. It broke down every defence, leaving only the truth. To bear your entire soul to another was a most painful experience.

But if you could make it through, love was the greatest reward.