Greetings from chapter nineteen! I have been super busy the last few days, but had some time to write today, so here you go! Thank you to my chapter eighteen reviewers- Belle89; Spiritual Stone; Omega87; Ygfi; Some Guy; Goku's Mistress; Infernal Flame Zero; adrian-air-fire; Hououza; Linkfizzle; linkas; Sakurelle; shinsei101; Kariah; StarrNight; TheGoddessKnight; lilykat14; Futuristic-dudette; Alli-dunno; sasukeuchiha180; Gir Crazy; sheik's twin; The Al Bhed Princess; and Ericketiting.

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

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I awoke just before dawn when I heard Link stir. I had been laying in a cot next to his bed, and I rolled over to face him. I watched as he rolled onto his side, facing me, and opened his eyes.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," I whispered, smiling at him.

"What happened?" he murmured sleepily.

"You got hit with an arrow yesterday. Impa gave you a sleeping draught, so you would get plenty of rest. How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted. And my lower shoulder hurts, right near my chest."

"That's to be expected, my love, for that's where the arrow hit you."

Link could barely move his arm, but managed to do so just enough to pat the bed. Figuring all the others were still asleep, I disregarded the fact that we weren't married just yet, and crawled in next to him. With my face mere inches from his, I closed the distance between us, and my lips met his in a gentle kiss.

"I love you," he whispered when we parted.

"I love you, too," I whispered back.

"You know, once we marry, we'll be able to do this any time we want to," he observed. "I can hardly wait."

"Well, you'll have to," I giggled.

"But why?" he asked, sticking out his bottom lip in a mock-pout.

"Because you have to get better first, and we have to plan the wedding. And I have every intention of finding out who is responsible for your injury before we walk down the aisle."

"Zel-" Link started to object.

"No, Link. I know what you're going to say, but I have to do this. I have to teach whoever did this that they can't get away with hurting you, or anyone else for that matter."

"But, Zel, you can't do it alone. Let me get better, and then we can work together to take care of things."

"No, Link, that won't work. Because we both know what'll end up happening- my father will make me stay at the castle, while you go out on another one of your adventures and save everyone again."

Link sighed. "So what's so wrong with that?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I retorted.

"Exactly what it says. I mean, come on, Zelda, you know it is my job as your protector to make sure you stay safe."

I got up out of the bed. "And it's my job as your fiancée to protect you!" I practically shouted. "And my job as the Princess of Hyrule to protect my subjects as well, which, technically, includes you!"

Link started to say something, but closed his mouth. He just stared at me in shock. As the realization of what I'd said hit me, I looked away, tears in my eyes.

"Zelda..." Link finally murmured.

"You don't understand, Link," I sobbed. "You don't know how scared I was yesterday. I was so happy when you proposed to me, but then there was that storm, and you got hurt... You... you were bleeding so much... I thought I'd lost you."

I turned around at last, and saw Link lying on his back, his arms outstretched. I went to him and hugged him, careful not to touch his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," I said through my tears, as I was now full-on crying. "I don't mean to make it sound like you have to answer to me. It's just sometimes I think you truly don't get that I wish for us to be on equal ground. Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean I can boss you around-"

"But by the same token, just because I'm going to be your husband doesn't mean I can make you go against what's in your heart," Link finished.

"Exactly," I mumbled, releasing myself from his arms so I could dry my eyes.

Link looked up at me and carefully sat up. "My love, I want to make a promise to you here and now," he told me.

I set down the handkerchief and pulled up a chair next to him. He took his hands in mine, as I stared into his cerulean eyes.

"That argument we just had showed me a different side of you. I've never doubted your devotion to me, but now I see just how far you're willing to go. And I promise to support you."

"Thank you," I whispered, lovingly squeezing his hands. I took a deep breath. "And I promise that I will let you help me, and that if I feel I'm in over my head, I will let you finish the task."

With that, we both leaned forward and sealed our promises with a kiss.

"Have you any clues yet as to who did this?" Link said, craning his neck to look at his shoulder.

"Just a map," I said, letting go of his hands and standing up. After lighting a lantern, I went to the table and grabbed the scroll, unrolling it across his lap. "After you were hit with the arrow, two Moblins came after us, and I had to destroy them. But before I did, I acquired this from one of them."

"You smote them?" Link inquired, his eyes wide.

"I had to, or they would've killed both of us," I explained. "But we can discuss that at a later time."

Link leaned forward and looked at the map.

"See this spot here?" I asked. "I asked the Moblin I took this from who sent it to get rid of us, and it pointed to this spot."

Link raised his eyebrows. "That comes as no surprise. Both of us knew that he was sure to return at some point. I know I'll pretty much have to stay in bed for the next couple of days, but we can use it as an opportunity to do some serious planning. We'll need to re-fortify the castle, and start training the soldiers. And the knights could use some practice, too."

"Including you," I grinned. "I'll ask my father to hold your knighting ceremony as soon as you are well." Link should've been a knight already, but my father hadn't been able to make the arrangements in time.

Link returned my smile, but only for a few seconds, as it was time to get down to business. We examined the map, noting the various markings on it and drawing potential paths to reach our destination.

By that time, the Sun was completely up. I drew back the curtains and put out the lantern, then rolled up the map and put it aside.

"How about some breakfast?" I asked. As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.

"May I come in, Princess?" Impa inquired.

"Of course, please do."

Impa opened the door and came in, closing it behind her. "Glad to see you're awake," she told Link. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Quite well, all things considered," he answered. At that moment, his stomach grumbled.

"Ah, I see the appetite has returned," Impa said with a chuckle. "How about I check you out, and then I'll get you some breakfast."

I excused myself downstairs while Impa made the examination. I greeted Malon, who was at the stove cooking breakfast.

"How's Link doing, Zelda?" she asked. Since she's my best friend, it doesn't bother me that she doesn't address me formally.

"Much better. I'm glad Impa gave him the sleeping potion, so he got a good night's rest."

"I'm sorry I couldn't make the two of you more comfortable," she smiled ruefully.

"Don't worry, we were fine," I reassured her.

Sir Cullen came into the room at that moment, yawning and stretching. "Good morning, my love," he greeted Malon, giving her a kiss before bowing to me. As I watched Malon cook breakfast, I noticed something different about her left hand. I knew she'd gotten engaged, but there were two rings.

"You didn't!" I exclaimed. When she turned around, I gestured at the rings.

"We did," she grinned. "We eloped yesterday. We were on our way back to... have our wedding night, when we came upon you and Link."

"Oh, I hope I didn't ruin everything," I told her.

"Fear not, Princess," Sir Cullen insisted. "There's plenty of room in this house for us to have our privacy."

"CULLEN!" Malon scolded him, blushing profusely.

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