Hello again! Welcome to chapter twenty-three! I meant to update this a little sooner, but I got really busy. However, the chapter's (almost) a page longer than normal, so hopefully that helps make up for it. At any rate, thanks to my reviewers- Infernal Flame Zero; sasukeuchiha180; Sakurelle; Ygfi; Some Guy, Kariah, lilykat14; Ericketiting; Hylian Princess; Firefly Orain Xi-Wang; Omega87; Silvara; Gir Crazy; adrian-air-fire; Alli-dunno; shinsei101; and Hououza.
Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of the Legend of Zelda series.
Link and I slowly opened the door, peering through the small opening. Noticing it was clear, we entered the small room, closing the door behind us and creeping over to the staircase. I was right-it was the same place as in my dream.
"These stairs are made of solid stone, so they're a little noisy," I whispered to Link. "We have to walk as quietly as possible."
We made our way up the staircase, trying our hardest not to let our boots clunk on the floor. About halfway up, Link suddenly pulled me into the darkness of a small corner and clapped a hand over my mouth, lest I gasp in surprise.
Hearing footsteps, we remained crouching in the shadows, watching the staircase. At that moment we nearly stumbled in surprise as Ganondorf himself walked past us, descending the stairs. He was flanked by two Moblins, one at each side, but he easily towered over both of them from his place in the middle.
He hesitated for a moment, and my heart jumped into my throat. Looking about, he then continued on his way. A moment later, the sound of a door opening and shutting echoed up the staircase.
"Now's our chance, Zel, before he notices that Kiefer and his family escaped."
We stood up and peeked out of the darkness. Seeing that it was safe, we quickly made our way up the stairs. We ran for the double doors that would allow us to exit the fortress, and, much to our surprise, made it out without incident.
As we ran from the fortress, I turned back and thought I saw Ganon's red eyes gleaming right behind me. I gasped and blinked, and the effect disappeared. Link tugged at my hand, encouraging me to quicken my pace.
We escaped the grounds and finally stopped to catch our breath.
"What are we going to do, Link?" I panted.
"We have to take care of him as soon as possible, Zel. It's clear that that tunnel was built by his forces, with the intention of overtaking all the farms and use them to lie in wait for a time to attack. I think the first thing we need to do is destroy the tunnel, then go from there."
"But what can we do for now? It's already pitch black, and surely my father is worried sick about us. And you still need to rest some more."
"I don't know," Link admitted. "All I know is that we need to get out of this area as soon as possible, before we're caught."
To my relief, Link pulled the ocarina out of his pocket. He played a tune, and within seconds, we were at the Temple of Time. We hurriedly made our way out of the temple and through Hyrule Castle Town to the inn.
I immediately went to the front desk to inquire if Kiefer and his family had checked in yet, and was pleased to learn they had. Link and I made our way upstairs, and, reaching their room, knocked softly on the door.
"Kiefer? Adalia? It's your rescuers," Link said, so that they would know it was us. Adalia answered the door and hastily greeted us, stepping out of the way to let us in.
"Are you quite alright, Princess?" she immediately asked, apparently noticing my flushed face.
"Quite alright. Link and I are just worn out from our journey here," I insisted, allowing her to lead me to a chair. As soon as I sat down, Gretchen came over and hugged me.
"Well, hello, Gretchen," I smiled down at her.
"Can I sit with you, Zelda?" she asked.
"Gretchen, you know better. You are to curtsy to the princess and address her as 'Princess Zelda.'" Adalia lightly scolded her as Kiefer attended to Anton.
"Sorry, mama," the little girl hung her head. She then stepped back and curtsied. "May I please sit with you, Princess Zelda?"
"Of course you may," I answered, reaching out and pulling her into my lap.
As she looked up at me, I couldn't help but be reminded of my childhood, when I used to sit in Impa's lap and look up at her. I'd lost my mother as a baby, so Impa had always been the only mother I'd ever known. I only know my real mother through portraits and stories.
On a whim, I began to braid the little girl's golden hair. She smiled up at me, and her blue-green eyes shone in the pale candlelight near the chair. She looked so much like me at that age, it was uncanny. Although she was only five, I could see the spirit of adventure in her face.
"She looks just like you did as a child, Zel," Link mentioned. He hadn't known me then, but it was hard not to know what I look like since my father made a habit of hanging one of my portraits in every room of the castle, no matter how small.
"It's 'Princess Zelda,'" Gretchen corrected him, causing all the adults to laugh, including myself. Puzzled, she hopped out of my lap after I tied the end of her braid with a ribbon. She hugged me again, then went and hugged Link before scurrying off to play with her little brother.
"We really appreciate what the two of you have done for us," Kiefer spoke up. He came closer and lowered his voice. "When we were kidnapped, I thought all hope was lost. No one seems to care much what happens to us farmers. I doubt anyone would've noticed until they realized they'd run out of Cucco eggs."
"Well, the princess cares for every single person in her kingdom, regardless of their heritage or occupation," Link said, taking my hand and squeezing it.
"I don't doubt that in the least," Adalia said with a warm smile. "Thank you so much, for everything."
"You're very welcome," I smiled back.
"Hey, Zel, it's getting late. We'd best get back home," Link observed.
We stood to say good-bye to the family before making our way back to the castle. We got in just before the drawbridge went up for the night. As we crossed the courtyard, Link stopped me, pulling me into a dark corner.
"Link, what are you-" I said, only to cut myself off when I felt Link feverishly kissing my neck.
"What got into you?" I giggled.
"I've been wanting to do this all day," he murmured between kisses.
I playfully pushed him away. "Link, we aren't married yet."
"I know that, Zel. It's just... I saw you holding Gretchen, and it melted my heart. She reminded me so much of you, Zel. I imagined that it was our daughter that you were holding, and I felt so much love for you at that moment, I can't even begin to describe it."
I found myself getting teary-eyed at that. I dabbed my eyes on my sleeve and stepped forward. Grasping Link's tunic, I pulled him down to me and gave him a hot kiss.
"Zel..." he murmured.
"Link... I want you to stay with me tonight."
Even in the shadows, I could tell that he was wide-eyed. "Are you sure?"
"Of course my love."
Link took my hand and led me to the ground nearest my second-story window. Looking around to make sure it was clear, he took out his hookshot and aimed and released it at the balcony. Once it was secure, I climbed the rope, him right behind me.
We got onto the balcony, and I used magic to unlock the window. Opening it, I pushed the drapes back and stepped into my room, with Link following me. I closed and locked the window before turning back to Link. I stepped closer to him, and his lips met mine.
I opened my mouth and let him slide his tongue in, gently sucking on it. We stumbled towards the bed, blinded by our need for each other. I took command, grasping his tunic and pushing him onto the bed. I climbed on top of him and found his lips again.
His hands began to roam, causing me to squirm. I broke away and looked in his eyes, seeing the fire sparking in them. He gave me a questioning look, and just after I nodded my consent, there was a knock at the door.
"Just a moment," I called, jumping up quickly and fanning my face, knowing my skin was bright red. I regrouped and went to the door. "Who is it?" I asked.
"It's your father. The guards told me that you and Link had returned to the castle, and I just wanted to make sure everything went alright. Might I come in?"
"Just a moment, Father."
Thinking quickly, Link got up from the bed. He hurried over to the bookcase in the drawing room, pulling out a book and returning to my bedroom. Lighting a candle, he seated himself at a table and pretended to read.
I opened the door and allowed my father to come in. After a few minutes of answering his inquiries about our day, and in turn asking him how things had gone for the others, my father finally went to bed.
"That was close," I breathed, closing the door and locking it. "Now where were we?"
Link grinned at me, his cerulean eyes glowing in the candlelight. He closed the book and left it on the table, getting up and walking over to me. Bending me back, he kissed my neck. "I believe I was just about to show you exactly how much I love you," he breathed, his face saying it all.
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