The River Dragon: Hey everyone! The next chappie is up! I am sure you have waited a while for this and i apologize for not updating sooner, I can only get online during weekends as you may know and last weekend was jam packed, parties and people I loath coming to visit (aka. sister) lol. Okay i'll be quiet now and let you read the FIFTH CHAPTER! ENJOY!

CHAPTER 5

Link stopped Epona and narrowed his eyes, his ears straining to catch a sound he had just heard. A normal person would not have noticed it, but after years of thieving, his senses were heightened and he heard the sound of a blade shifting on rocks ever so slightly.

He swiftly pulled out his bow and arrows and aimed behind them at a single bush where they had just been not five seconds ago.

"Come out or I'll shoot." He called. Zelda stopped her mare and looked puzzled at Link's actions. "What is it? Is someone there?" She asked. Link didn't reply, glaring at the spot that had caught his attention.

A man dressed in Royal Hyrulian guard armor stepped out with a spear in hand. He pointed the spear at Link and frowned deeply. "Its a good thing that I came along, I thought his majesty was joking when he asked me to watch over princess Zelda." Said the guard.

"My father sent you?" Zelda asked, anger rising in her eyes. "Why?"

Link put his bow and arrow away and sighed. "Here it comes." He groaned.

The guard stepped forwards. "This is the thief who has been breaking into the castle every week. The one that mocks the guards into chasing him around." The guard spat.

Zelda looked at Link. "That's because you guys are all idiots which makes it so much fun to toy with you." He smiled. "You can't bust me though. I've never once stole anything nor have I hurt anyone very seriously." Link explained.

"Oh really? Just last month there was a killing in this very field. A man was walking through and he was shot by a fire arrow. You murder people for no reason what so ever!" the guard yelled.

Link's eyes bolted open and he dropped off of Epona's back. For the first time since Zelda had seen him, Link had the fire of a Gerudo in his eyes.

"That man was trespassing into Gerudo land, he led our guards away and killed them, and then when I was sent there he tried to pull himself off as a lost traveler. He tried to fool me into handing over my items but I found out who he was and slit his throat." Link said icily.

The Hyrule guard grabbed his horse from behind a large bush and swiftly mounted.

"I knew the Gerudo couldn't be trusted, but I must obey the King and report back. Just wait 'till he hears about this sand serpent." The guard nudged his horse and rode into Gerudo Valley.

Zelda felt an overwhelming sadness flow over her. The King of Hyrule, her father, would not let her visit the Gerudo's ever again after this. Let alone permit her to leave the castle to see the Gerudo prince in private. Impa would surely follow her everywhere.

Link let out a long sigh. Although his mother would be the voice of reason and undoubtedly believe him, Zelda would have a hard time convincing the King of Hyrule the same. This would be difficult.

Zelda sat at her desk, writing in her small purple diary. She was grounded for a month and forbidden from leaving the castle grounds until further notice. What was worse was Impa was constantly staring at her, never leaving until Zelda went to bed or to eat.

'I don't know how much more of this I can take!' she wrote.

Link sat in the corner of Lon Lon Ranch, somewhat hidden from the sun's rays and unwanted attention. It had been half a week and already he was bored out of his mind.

Malon approached the corner slowly, trying not to make too much noise.

"Hey." She whispered. Link slowly looked up, tiredness in his blue eyes. He had spent the last few days sitting there, his mind in the clouds, as he seemed to be arguing with himself.

"Hi Malon." He replied, letting his gaze fall back to the grass beneath his feet.

"Don't be so worried about Zelda, her dad may talk big but he has a kind heart. The worst she got was probably a grounding." Malon patted Link's shoulder with a small smile.

He sighed and closed his eyes.

"But it's probably all my fault. I was the one who caused all this." He mumbled. Malon snorted and grabbed his arm, hauling Link onto his feet.

"Enough moping. Let's go for a ride to Lake Hylia." Malon announced, pulling the surprised prince to the horse stables.

Malon smiled to herself, this was a brilliant idea. She had only dragged Link to the lake yesterday and already he seemed to be coming out of his little depression.

But there was a strange feeling rising within her every time she saw Link ride to meet her at Lon Lon Ranch. It was like her breath came out short and her heart began to ache. And sometimes she found her face getting warm when she talked to him.

"Malon? Are you even listening to me?" Link asked, waving his hand in front of her face. She blinked and looked questioningly at him. "I'll take that as a no?" Malon felt the warmth rise in her face.

"Sorry, what were you saying again?" She asked. Link sighed. "I was wondering if I should go see Zelda tonight." He repeated. Malon could feel a pang at her heart followed by a long painful ache as Link stared at Hyrule Castle. Anger rushed and caused her to raise her voice.

"No!" She yelled. Link raised his eyebrows at her sudden outburst.

"What's wrong? You seem pissed at me." He asked. Malon struggled to find an acceptable reason, her eyes darting back and forth.

"Uh, you could get Zelda in even more trouble. Or you could get caught and Zelda would get in even more trouble." She said quickly. Link nodded and lowered his eyes from the castle, guilt rushing over him.

"Yeah, I probably would cause a lot of trouble for her." He mumbled.

Malon struggled to keep herself from smiling and as she did so, she began to realize what she just did. Where were these feelings coming from and why did they affect her so? It was time for her to seek the advice of an elder, and she knew exactly who to ask.

The River Dragon: Well what did you think of this chapter? Review review review! lol, man am i pushy...naw...ha ha...stop staring at me like that! (cries) anyway, I think my next chapter will be up in around a week, it depends if my mom lets me go online so keep being patient with me and fear not, there will be some malon bashingfor all you malon-haters lol but lucky you, i will accept ideas to add into this fanfiction, dont you feel special now? lol.