Hello, all, and welcome to chapter seventeen! I apologize for the delay, but I was sick last week and just did not feel up to writing this chapter prior to today. At any rate, thanks, as always, to my reviewers since my last update- OneStrangeBird; Omega87; Spiritual Stone; Ygfi; TheGoddessKnight; Silvara; shinsei101; The Al Bhed Princess; adrian-air-fire; Ericketiting; Infernal Flame Zero; Sakurelle; sasukeuchiha180; lilykat14; Alli-dunno; Kariah; Belle89; Gir Crazy; AmarraHarstone; Sheik's twin; ME;) ; UlrichYumiforever; Jackie; and one reviewer whose name showed up as a symbol that I don't know how to duplicate. :)

P.S.- I have a new story in the works that I hope to have up within the next couple days.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of the Legend of Zelda series.

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I couldn't believe what my eyes beheld- a ring. An engagement ring.

It was gorgeous in its simplicity- a thin gold band with a small sapphire. The jewel glittered in the warm afternoon sun. When I recomposed myself, I looked up at Link and smiled.

"It reminds me of your eyes," he whispered.

"It reminds me of yours, too," I breathed.

I watched, stunned, as he got down on one knee before me, holding the box with one hand and using his other hand to clasp one of mine. "Princess Zelda, I have come to know you well over these last several years. Although you hold a position well above mine, you have never treated me as someone below you. You may be someone I'm in charge of protecting, but you have become a dear friend, a confidant, and now, the woman with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life. That is, if you'll have me as your husband." He paused to take a deep breath. "Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"Of course!" I squealed excitedly.

Link removed the ring from the box and slid it onto my left ring finger. I helped him to his feet, and he cast the box aside for the moment, then wrapped his arms around my waist. Hugging me tightly, he tilted me backwards and bent over me. Our lips met in a passionate kiss.

We split apart, and I stood back up. As we stared into each other's eyes, I stepped closer to him and kissed him. I opened my mouth slightly, allowing his tongue to enter. Our fiery kiss left my head spinning.

"We'd best get back to the castle, before we do something we're not supposed to," Link smiled after we once again pulled apart.

All I could do was nod in agreement.

We gathered the things and loaded them into the saddlebags, then mounted Epona. Link again let me sit in front of him, holding my waist and nuzzling my neck as I took the reins. We decided to take our time and enjoy the nice weather, so I guided Epona into a slow trot.

"I love you," Link whispered in my ear. "If we were married already..."

I blushed as I wondered what was on my mind. Naturally I knew the subject matter, but he was too much of a gentleman to give details. As Epona trotted along, he stroked my hair and kissed me, and we whispered sweet nothings to each other.

Seeing that the sky began to grow cloudy, Link urged Epona to speed up a little. Unfortunately, it didn't make much of a difference. A huge thunderstorm broke out within minutes.

By that time we had reached some small farms near the outskirts of town. Looking about, we spotted a stable off in the distance. Epona galloped over and jumped the short fence, stopping outside of the building.

Quickly dismounting Epona, Link commanded me to wait with her as he searched the grounds. He noticed that both the stable and the main house were completely devoid of people and livestock. The few remaining objects had been tossed about and turned over carelessly. Someone-or something-had ransacked the property.

"Well, shelter is shelter," Link pointed out, having returned to report his observations. He led Epona into the stable, choosing the only stall that seemed to have somehow avoided destruction. She happily munched on the weeds that had broken through the dirt floor, as Link flipped over two stools for us to sit on.

"I wonder what happened," I said, looking around. Cucco feathers were still scattered about, and several tracks lied in the dirt, those clearly belonging to animals mixing with those I didn't recognize.

Link rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully. "What I'd like to know is whether this is the only place to suffer this fate. There are a few farms within about a five-mile radius of here. I'm curious if they, too, were ransacked. Once the rain lets up, I plan to investigate."

"But it's getting late."

"What, are you afraid of a little investigating?" he grinned mischievously.

"No, but Father... what will he think?" I whispered through chattering teeth.

"He already knew of my plans to propose. I'm sure he won't fret too much, as long as we are back by bedtime. Besides, whoever or whatever caused this seems to have gone now," Link said, holding me close and rubbing my arms.

The doors suddenly flew open, and a strong gust of wind blew through the stable, spooking Epona. She reared up and neighed, and Link immediately jumped up and went to calm her.

"Shh, girl, it's okay," he soothed, patting her once she was back down on all fours. He removed a carrot from his pocket and handed it to her, and she happily nuzzled his cheek.

As I got up to fasten the stable doors shut, since the rain had started blowing in, I got a sinking feeling that something was seriously wrong. Link busied himself with removing Epona's saddle, as it seemed pretty evident that we would be stranded for awhile.

"I don't know about this," I said shakily. "It's not like Epona to get scared like that."

"I know," Link agreed, a worried tone in his voice. "She calmed down quickly enough, but there's something about this place that seems...ominous. And the storm certainly isn't helping."

Link dug out the picnic blanket. "Here, put this on," he said. As I walked closer, a loud clap of thunder surprised me, and I stumbled into his arms.

"You okay, my love?" he inquired.

"Fine," I insisted. "Just cold."

"I know, me, too." We sat just outside Epona's stall, huddled together under the blanket.

"And just as my clothes were finally getting dry," I giggled. "Impa will have a few words for me when she sees these wet and dirty garments. But it's not her that concerns me. I worry Father will think you and I had some sort of romp in the dirt."

Link raised his eyebrows. "So what if he does?"

"Link, you're terrible!" I shrieked, playfully pushing his shoulder. "You know that's supposed to wait for after the wedding, my dear."

In answer, a sly grin crossed Link's face. "That doesn't mean we can't talk about it."

"True. And with that being said, Link, I have a question for you."

"Shoot."

"Well, have you ever..." My voice trailed off as I began to blush, too flustered to complete the question.

"No, Zel, I haven't. Sure, I have raging hormones just like any other young man my age. But I see no need in having relations before marriage. Besides," he explained, looking in my eyes, "I knew from the moment I realized I loved you that I would save myself for you. Just because I'm a man doesn't mean that I'm unwilling to forego such a commitment, just so I could earn a few notches in my belt before settling down with a wife and family."

I smiled at Link. "You truly are the gentleman I always believed you were. I love you, Link. And I think you already know how I would answer the question."

"Of course. I love you, too, Zel," he whispered, kissing my forehead.

As we talked a little more, the storm began to abate. Link got up and opened the stable doors slightly, peering outside.

"It's stopped raining. And it appears we still have an hour yet before it is completely dark. That is plenty of time to check out another farm before heading home," he called to me. "If you don't mind, I'd like to look around and assess the storm damage. Can you saddle up Epona?"

"Of course, Link. Go on," I shouted back.

He pushed open the doors all the way and emerged outside. He looked so beautiful standing there, bathed in the evening sunlight, that I could hardly take my eyes off him. Hypnotized, I started to follow him outside.

As I neared the stable doors, I heard the snap of a bow. Before I could react, I saw an arrow fly at him, piercing the left side of his chest, just above his heart.

"LINK!" I screamed as he collapsed into a heap.

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