A/N: I just wanna say that I apologize for this chapter, one for it being so short. I couldn't bring myself to write anymore. You'll see what I mean. Second, for just that. Read on, if you want... I promise I'll haveTwenty-Six up real soon.

Chapter Twenty-Five - Funeral

Link awoke to find himself propped up against the headboard of Zelda's bed, no Zelda to be found. He instantly jumped up and dashed out of the room. Looking around, Link heard a muffled voice crying. He ran to the room and quietly opened the door. Inside was Zelda, knelt on the ground next to her father. Link walked over to her and bent down to help her up. He wiped some tears away from Zelda's already tearstreaked face.

"Oh, Link," she managed to choke out before breaking into tears again. Link wrapped his arms around her, and she placed her head upon his shoulder.

"Everything's gonna be okay. Your father is with the Goddesses now, removed from the pain."

"I know, but he's gone. It was too soon. He was too young."

"Be strong, Zelda. With the King gone, you are now the Queen of Hyrule."

"Me, a queen? Who would've expected that?"

"You've always been royalty to me," Link whispered.

Zelda smiled. "Thanks."

Link nodded. "Now, there's a pressing matter we need to attend to."

-

"Today we say farewell to our beloved king, one of the greatest men that has ever tread across Hyrulean soil. Although his soul is gone to the Gods and his body entombed, the great King of Hyrule will remain forever in our hearts. Today, we mark the end of the Hyrulean Age of Kings."

The priest lit a torch and placed it on a small boat that he pushed into the water. The boat sliced through the waters of Lake Hylia, finally vanishing through the small outlet that led to the ocean.

Zelda stood silent next to Link as the torches fading light vanished. She turned to him, and he nodded. The two of them walked away from the shore to Epona. Link helped Zelda up, then led Epona away towards the castle in the distance.

"Thanks for coming with me."

You know I would have been there anyway."

"I know, but it wouldn't be the same."

Link nodded. "Now, what was it you needed to talk to me about?"

"As you know, in a week, there will no longer be a Royal Family to claim the throne. Link, I want you to take the throne when I die."

"What?" Link asked, shocked.

"You heard me. I am not going to live much longer, that fact I have accepted. I plan to fight this until the end, but there's no point in ignoring the inevitable. I want you to take the throne."

"But why me? There has to be someone better."

"You have a partially legitimate claim to the throne. You are the Hero of Time, personal guard to the Royal Family. The only person who could challenge you would be Impa, and I'm sure shed support your claim."

"Zelda, I don't know how to run a kingdom."

"Impa will help you. So will Saria and Ruto. The Goron leader, Darunia, will probably help if you ask him."

Link nodded. "I will think about it."

Zelda nodded and turned to look forward toward the castle, Link walking beside Epona, leading the way.

-

"She's already planning what happens to the kingdom? That's Zelda for you."

"Yeah, that's one of the nice things about her," Link said, half there and half in 'la-la land,' as Zelda always put it.

Sarah smiled. "Its gonna feel weird without her." Link could only nod. He just sat there.

Zelda, why do I have to lose you? Why...?

"Link?"

Link snapped back to reality. "Yeah?"

"I take it you didn't hear that noise, then."

"What noise?" he asked.

As if on cue, there was a loud scream, as if someone was in immense pain. At the exact time, a wave of pain coursed through Link's left hand, as if it was on fire. Ignoring the throbbing pain, Link jumped up and raced to Zelda's room.

He slammed the doors open only to find Zelda curled up on the floor holding her head. Link rushed over to her.

"What happened?"

"The pain... My head, it hurts... So much... to remember..." she gasped out between obvious pain spasms which sent her reeling.

"Sarah, get, um, anyone!" he shouted, sending her running. Link wrapped his arms around Zelda, trying to comfort her as best he could.

"Everything will be okay."

"Link, I cant take it..." she said, her voice almost too quiet to hear.

"You have to. Fight it."

"I... can't..."

"You have to! You can't die! Hyrule needs you! The town needs you! I need you," he finished, his voice almost as low as hers.

Zelda nodded painfully. "For... you..." Link felt Zelda's body go limp.

"No, not yet, not now. I still need you," Link said quietly before hugging Zelda's limp body. Tears streamed down the great Hero's face, leaving small glistening trails behind before they fell.

"No, not yet... Don't leave me here, alone... I can't do this without you. I love you..."