CHAPTER THREE

Heyo, my dear readers! I hope that you like this chapter that I wrote for you. I attempted to make this a little longer than the last chapter, so even if it still seems a bit short… at least I can say that I failed trying.

I would like to thank my wonderful official beta, Total Romance Fan, for giving me some awesome ideas. I would also love to announce that Romance has written her own version of this story! Of course, she consulted me before writing it and that just goes to show you how good of a writer she is!

P.s. It is a IkexZelda story, but I still think that you guys will like it.

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The dust that had collected on the books in the castle's library made Link wonder just how long it had been since it was last used.

The young Hylian knight had informed Ganondorf that he would need to study for an hour or two on potions that he would need to capture Sheik. If the criminal was as sneaky as the king had described her, Link would definitely need special equipment.

"Ingredients… chain reactions…" Link flipped through the dusty pages of an old potion book. He swifty wrote down the information with a quill pen before he started to read again. "How it works… where to find it…"

Link rose from the table and stood next to the large bookshelves. He began to search for more information when suddenly a large and rather old red book fell, causing dust to fly everywhere. He waved his arms through the dust clouds as his eyes began to water.

"Do people even know what reading is anymore?"

Link looked down to see a blue light glowing from under his tunic. "Have you been in my tunic this entire time, Navi?" At his words, Navi flew out and flittered around the book that had fallen. "It looks like this book has been used as a chew toy for a wolfo."

Link picked it up and examined it, running his fingers over the small rips across the cover. He squinted as he tried to make out the title.

"History of Hyrule."

Link opened it only to find that half of the pages were either ripped or unreadable. He began to close the book when suddenly, he caught sight of a female.

He stared down upon it, trying to think of who this woman reminded him of.

Her smooth face was bare of any blemishes and her baby blue eyes held a sparkle of happiness, yet she was not smiling. The ends of her long brown hair was held up by a braid, as well as her bangs and she wore a royal purple and white dress. The young knight noticed a golden leaf-like crown with a blue crystal was placed on top of her head, assuring Link that she was indeed royalty.

Realization struck Link as he stared at her baby blue eyes.

"... Zelda?"

Navi looked down at the painting of the young princess and said, "That is Zelda?! Wow, she's all grown up!" Link rolled his eyes. "Of course she has grown, Navi. I have as well, remember?"

"You don't have to act as if I am stupid," Navi huffed.

"You're right, I don't… but it is much more fun," Link smirked, looking back down at the book. "Zelda's actually changed a lot, except for her eyes… her beautiful baby blue eyes…"

"-even listening?"

Link blinked and looked at Navi. "I asked you if you remembered how long ago it was when we moved to Termina," The fairy said. "Four years ago. I was eighteen then." Link said, squinting to read the text on the pages.

"Princess Zelda, daughter of Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, whom was the great king of Hyrule, hence the kingdom's name. King Daphnes died of an unknown illness, leaving Princess Zelda at age seventeen to become the next ruler of Hyrule. Princess Zelda turned eighteen years ol the next year and her coronation was prepared. However, the day before Zelda's coronation, she disappeared and never returned.

"It was then discovered by the princess's guardian, Impa, that Her Highness was killed by a blade through her stomach, as Impa claimed to have seen a tall and dark figure attack her Royal Highness in the royal garden through her bedroom window. The guards searched for her body and anything that would give the murderer away, but unfortunately, nothing was found.

"The law states, "The crown of the kingdom must go to the next of kin." Princess Zelda had no brothers nor sisters, so therefore, the royal crown was passed unto her only other relative… her uncle, Ganondorf."

The red book shook from the hands that held it.

"Link…" Navi slowly landed on top of Link's tense hand. "I'm so sorry." She flew upwards slowly, already knowing what Link's actions were going to be.

The knight suddenly hurled the item in his hand at a bookshelf across the room, causing other books to fall to the floor. Navi sighed as she watched Link sat back down and run his hands through his blonde hair. Said fairy sat down on the edge of the table.

"Link," She said quietly. "It's not your fault."

Several minutes passed until Navi heard a small voice. "... I wasn't there for her."

"Don't say things like that, Link. You were in Termina helping the people in the city, remember?"

"But I wasn't there for her… I promised myself that I wouldn't let anything or anyone hurt her."

"You can't always be there for someone, can you? Impa promised the same thing, didn't she?!"

Link stood up abruptly, knocking the chair over. "At least Impa was in the same kingdom!"

Navi froze at the unexpected outburst. Link sighed and held his hand out for his companion as a single tear slid down his cheek. "I'm sorry… I just can't believe that… Zelda is… dead."

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Well, that took a lot out of me, but it's much longer than the last chapter, huh?

Please review!