"It really is good to see you. I mean, people talk and all and there was gossip about your condition and stuff but… Wow, they don't call you the Saviour of Hyrule for nothing, huh? I mean, you look great!"

"Yeah… It was sort of difficult for a while, but once I started on Red Potion, it got better and I was out of bed within a week."

"Wow… I always knew you were amazing, Link, but that is incredible! I mean, how often do you hear someone get shot by an arrow, nearly die, and then be back on their feet not even after two weeks? Amazing… and I am really glad that you're okay."

Link swept a hand through his bangs, his hair long enough now that he could tie it back into a low ponytail, and shrugged, bashful at his friend's praise. "Yeah, well… once I woke up, I wasn't too keen about staying in bed much longer than I already had been or was necessary. Still, I have been taking it easy, or have been forced to anyways, but yeah I'm glad that I'm okay too."

Smiling at Link's chuckle, Colin raised a brow at the knight and said, "I can only assume you're referring to Her Majesty? She's really the only person I can see who can successfully tell you what to do!"

"Yeah," Link went on, nodding and smiling a bit wider, "she was pretty worried about me and insisted that I take it slow until my strength returned. I am, as much as I'll allow it, truthfully. But umm… My shoulder is still pretty messed up though. Even with Renado's help and probably even after I've drank enough Red Potion to fill up the castle's moat, I still don't have all of my mobility back yet. It aches too, especially at night… But!" Link clapped his right hand against his thigh and smiled, "it's given me an opportunity to improve my right-handed swordsmanship. Faris suggested it, saying that I should work on my balance, become more ambidextrous. It's weird, I can barely swing my sword with my right hand, but it's a work in progress for sure. Besides, it gives me something to do… people have been trying to baby me as of late and I don't much care for all of the attention."

"Oh, wow! So it is possible for you, the 'all mighty hero,' to improve! Who could have guessed?"

Link jokingly pushed his younger friend as he laughed, nearly sending Colin toppling off the fence on which the pair was sitting on. The day was bright and all around Lonna Ranch, new life prevailed. No longer did the white of snow dominate the land, for nearly a week ago spring had begun to descend upon the land and the richness of green once again conquered the Hyrulean landscape. Trees were beginning to bud, flowers were blooming by the thousands, and the prospects of new births were evident all around. The two men were watching a number of new dames looking after their brand-new foals, who were curiously beginning to explore their big and bright new worlds.

Speaking of which, ever since Link was well enough to leave the infirmary about two and half weeks ago, he'd found himself walking a bit slower. He did this, not because of his injury, which did limit how fast he could move for sure, but because everything just seemed to be a bit brighter. Even walking down the long halls of the castle, which in themselves were usually dark in places, seemed to glow to the knight. Everything, even the moonless night, was bathed in a silvered light and details were not lost to dark shadows. Link considered mentioning it to Zelda but every time he thought about it, his mind would drift to the Dark Realm. In those moments, the shadows of the world seemed to return to normal, darker even. It was… strange, to say the least, but Link wasn't scared, of the dark that is… it did confuse him though why he hadn't spoken to Zelda about it all. Over the years they had shared so much with one another and he knew that she probably had some insight about his experience, yet… he remained quiet about it. Why he was hesitant to confess to her he didn't have a clue, but something stopped him all the same.

"Ah, Farore to Link! Hello? Hey, watch it! You're going to fall off the fence!"

Colin's shouting rocked Link from his thoughts and sure enough, the knight did almost fall off his seat but managed to catch himself at the last moment. Fighting back a flinch, as he needed to use his left hand to help him up, Link gave his younger friend a lopsided smile and chuckled as he found his seat again. "I'm sorry, Colin, my mind has been prone to wonder as of late. Ah, what did you say? Sorry."

"I asked you when was the last time you heard from Ilia," Colin replied, a brow rose in amusement and perhaps concern.

"Oh? Oh! Umm… well, ah…" Link did not expect that question and he took a moment to think. "Well, I guess it was the last time I was in Ordon, to visit. Ah, when was that?"

"Wasn't that two years ago now? At Fado's wedding to Flor?"

"Oh wow, was that two years ago now?"

"Ah, yeah, two years last month, I think? Flor's almost due soon too, you know. A couple more months? Yeah, that's what mom said in her letter last week. Little Denri is excited to be a big brother!"

"By Din…. Well, I guess I ought to go visit there soon, huh? I totally forgot that Fado was having another baby…"

"Ah, yeah, well… I was hoping, now that you're okay and whatnot, that you'd be visiting with me next month…" Colin replied, looking away from Link but the knight caught the blush in his friend's cheeks.

Suspicion perked the Hylian's interest and he leaned forward to better look Colin in the face. "What's so special about next month?"

"Oh, you haven't heard, I guess? Oh… well I guess it's understandable, you being busy being a knight and all and then being hurt… Makes sense that your invitation got overlooked."

"Invitation? What invitation?" Link's smile faded at Colin's tone and he watched as the blush in the younger man's face increased. "Colin?" the knight pressured, raising his brow in question. Link hadn't received any invitation, this he was sure of, for he'd just been going through his mail last night after all.

"Well, umm… I had thought you would've heard, by now at least," Colin's words dripped with trepidation and he'd grown as quiet as he used to be as a kid. Now he wouldn't even look Link in the eye and that made Link frown more. Whatever the younger man had to say, it was evident that he hadn't been planning on being the one to break the news to Link.

"Colin… Tell me, what's going on? Did something happen to Ilia?"

"Oh, no! No… well, okay, maybe something did but umm, not something bad!" Colin spoke quickly when he heard Link's tone and the man smiled beneath his blushing and laughed off his uneasiness. Still, he hadn't quite convinced Link that was clear enough, so with a sigh Colin relented. "Well… Ilia, she's getting married, Link. I thought you of all people would have heard by now, because she's marrying a soldier from the South Gate. Ah, what's his name? Daemyn? Yeah, that's his name, nice fellow, completely smitten with Ilia, and he even had been brave enough to ask Mayor Bo for his permission and everything. Apparently the proposal was very sweet, according to Mom."

"Oh," was all Link had to say at first, having been caught completely off guard. Catching his own hesitation the knight was quick to add, "That's great! I mean, good for her. I'm happy to hear that and… yeah, I'll for sure I'll have to come. Who knows? Maybe even Zelda will be able to attend with me…" Trailing off, a smile on his face, Link's eyes wondered back to the horses and his mind raced with thoughts. Ilia getting married? Link wasn't sure what he was more shocked at, the fact that his childhood friend was getting married, that he didn't know until now, or the thought of Ilia marrying anyone else besides him? The last thought really kicked the knight in the gut and instant guilt filled him to the brim, so much that he needed to cough lest Colin notice his expression change.

How could he even dare think something like that? He broke Ilia's heart, he could've been the one marrying her but… those feelings had died. True there had been a time when he wanted to but… oh Din! Shaking away those thoughts, Link nodded and looked back at Colin, who had been staring at his friend with an expression that could possibly be a mix of sympathy and understanding.

"What?" asked Link, his smile still faintly on his face, though beneath the façade he realized that perhaps he didn't get an invitation because he hadn't been sent one in the first place.

"Nothing," replied Colin, thoughtfulness in his voice. "It's just… well, I'm happy to see that you're all right is all but, still, I have to ask if you're okay."

"Sure I'm okay, I just finished telling you-"

"You know what I mean… are you okay about Ilia? You two were always so close so…"

"I'm fine, really I am. I'm really glad to hear such good news and I hope to attend the wedding. Ilia, she must be so happy."

A smile appeared upon his face and Link nodded to his friend in sincerity, to show him that his words were the truth. To an extent, they were. He was glad to hear that Ilia was doing well and was happy, but there was still the flicker of her face in his memory that only the depths of his eyes revealed.

Colin stared at his friend for a moment or two longer, weighing whether or not to believe him or press him further, before finally the younger man relented and shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, if you say so. I for one will be attending, to of course support and be there for Ilia, but also to see everyone again. It's been months since-"

"Since you've seen Beth, you mean".

Link narrowly missed the swing of Colin's fist and laughing the knight hopped off of the fence lest he fall backward from the effort. Connection to the ground jarred his injuries a bit, causing him to flinch, but not enough to loosen the grin from his face. Looking up at Colin, Link's brow rose with increased amusement upon seeing the sharp redness in his friend's face and he crossed his arms smugly as Colin also hopped down from the fence.

"Well… perhaps, but all the same, I hope you can make it."

"If I can't make this wedding, I most definitely will make yours."

Just as Colin was going to respond to Link's light words, eyes having locked onto Link's, his name was called from the direction of the main stable and his gaze went hence. Glancing back at Link, his expression even, the smile returned to the man's face and he said, "Looks like I'm needed. Thanks for stopping by, Link. Again, I'm really glad to see that you're alive and well. You had a lot of us worried there for a while."

"Alive, yes. Well… I'm getting there." Link grinned and sighed, the ache in his body was a constant companion and now it was trying to birth a headache. "I best be on my way too, anyway. I promised Zelda that we'd train in the afternoon so I best not be late."

"Oh! That'd be a sight, I'm sure. I remember watching you show us kids all of your amazing swordsman skills back in Ordon. I can only imagine how awesome you are now, even if you are still recovering. I mean, I can use the sword now too but I know that even in your current condition you'd still totally kick my butt."

"Oh please, Colin… you give me too much credit," Link said a bit bashfully, though his chest swelled with pride a bit.

"I'm serious, Link, you are something special and no one can argue against that." Glancing back at the barn, Colin's eyes lit up as something popped into his mind and he turned back to Link. "Speaking of which, mind if I ask what you'll be up to the next little while?"

"Oh, ah… well, I plan actually to be retuning to the Gerudo as their ambassador tomorrow. This whole attack really has everyone rattled and there are those who seek to blame the Gerudo for it and that's just something I will not allow."

Link watched Colin's eyes grow wide and he could see fear in the split second that flashed within his eyes; it was plain to see that similar rumours have spread amongst the soldiers. Link couldn't blame him or really anyone for being fearful of the Gerudo. It was now common knowledge of where Ganondorf had originated and there were still those within Hyrule who were against the Gerudo back within the desert.

"Why? What's going on in the near future?" asked Link, his tone cool and even, and his smile remaining.

"Oh! Nothing, I was just wondering," Colin replied, his own smiled widening to cover the real reason he inquired. Still, the younger boy's eyes turned serious for a moment and he said, "Just… with whatever you do, be careful, Link. You're not just my hero, y'know?"

"Oh come now, Colin… you know me. I can handle anything." Laughing and rotating his shoulder, Link gazed around the ranch and all of the new life that surrounded him, a blush in his cheeks from his friend's words. With a growing smirk he mumbled absently, "It's funny… everyone seems to be getting engaged these days. A few of the royal guardsmen did last week, the royal farrier only two days ago, and now it turns out Ilia has also joined that guild… I guess next on the list will be you, eh?"

Winking at Colin's sudden crimson expression, Link laughed teasingly and bid his friend another farewell before the men parted ways towards his own set of responsibilities. The knight was right in his observation, for it truly was shaping up to be a ripe season for proposals of marriage.

/ / / / /

"Again!"

The knight's barked order initiated the lone figure in the training ring to repeat the sequence of stances and forms. Her sword shone in the sunlight and her long brunette hair was bound in a tight braid at her back, so as to not interfere with her body's movements. Her outfit consisted of tight fitting material of a blue shade under a slim-fitting tunic of the Hyrulean Royal Family's crest across her chest, similar to a soldier's training uniform. Her footing, balance, angle and thrust were all heavily scrutinized by the knight, whose keen eyes noticed any small imperfections or errors, and he made sure that she completed each stance correctly. Once the figure came to a stop again, Link approached his queen and ever so slightly, lifted her elbow a hair length and said, "So close," with a smile.

Zelda's collected and serious expression collapsed with her exasperated blush and she readily shoved her elbow into her knight's chest, albeit lightly. Lowering her sword, she sighed and swept the back of her hand across her forehead and raised a brow at the Saviour of Hyrule.

"Have we had enough already of these sequences? Weren't we to spar today?" she asked, a grin playing upon her lips.

"We could yes… but are you ready to face…. this?" Link gestured to himself, a huge, arrogant smirk in his expression, which was broken by his laughter when Zelda pretended to come after him.

The Queen of Hyrule was smiling, herself laughing at her knight's humour, and once again life was at peace. It seemed like a dark dream, a terrible nightmare, of what happened to Link, that he had nearly died, and there were moments in which Zelda believed that it all had in fact been just a dream. It wasn't, it had all happened, and if it wasn't the nightmares the continued to plague Zelda during the night then it was seeing her knight now, even with his smiling face, his injury was as plain as day. Link's usual his green garb of a hero, clothes bestowed to him by the Light Spirits from his predecessor, the Hero of Time, now came with a new addition. Armour now shone in the sunlight upon Link's left shoulder as added protection from his injury. It was a necessary addition, according to Faris, and something Link would probably just have to get used to. Although his wound from the poisoned arrow was nearly healed, thanks to Red Potion, the area still ached and hindered Link's movements. Renado had said even that very morning, when he had examined the hero's shoulder that it was possible that Link might have to deal with pain from the area for the rest of his life.

Such news had obviously affected the knight, seeing as he was left-handed and needed full mobility to wield the Master Sword. Renado words held no comfort for Link and Zelda could only watch as her wounded knight nodded to the shaman and wordlessly replace his shirt. Though she had tried not to look, out of respect of Link's modesty, Zelda had seen the state of his shoulder. The major swelling and inflammation had disappeared, yet around the wound there were identifiable red marks streaking from the hole made by the arrow, like cracks in an eggshell. The incision that Renado has made on the back of the shoulder to remove the barbed arrowhead had healed fine, but the arrow's hole had barely healed and ever looked angry and painful. When asked to rotate his arm, Link couldn't complete a full circle with pain noticeably creasing his face but, he would never make a sound or complaint. His courage was admirable, though perhaps it was more stubbornness that pushed him to try and conceal his discomfort.

'Even now he's trying to hide it,' thought Zelda, still smiling at Link as he idly circled her in the ring.

It was subtle, for he was good at hiding it, but Zelda had spent enough time with the man to see that his footing favoured his left side, that he faced her slightly from his right, and that he was careful not to jostle his left arm too much. It made no difference how many times his queen asked him to take it easy and to focus on healing, for he wouldn't listen. Link was not the type of person to sit around and wait to get better, because he'd rather swing a sword around or go out on patrol while he did so.

It had been Link's suggestion that they would spar today, yet here they were doing stances and techniques, dancing around the main event.

"Well?" Zelda insisted, meeting Link's blue eyes. She didn't want to spar with him, in fear that she might hurt him, but she knew that if she said anything concerning that fact, Link would dive into sparring with more vigour than he ought to allow his injured self.

"I guess we should, huh?" Link said slowly, casually adjusting his greaves. "But just to go easy on you, I'll use my right hand, okay? After all, you're still learning and I would hate to bring the Queen of Hyrule to her knees by my sword."

"Oh, well, how gracious you are, sir knight," Zelda replied with a mock curtsy before rolling her eyes and shifting into a beginning stance.

Grinning, Link drew the Master Sword slowly from its sheath at his back with his left hand, the twitch of his eye the only sign of his pain before he casually changed hands and took his stance against his queen. His right-handed swordsmanship was getting better, though it still felt weird, but Link had been training with Faris and being a natural at the sword was aiding him ease into becoming more ambidextrous.

"Are you ready?" Link asked, his brows furrowed with smug determination.

"Prepare to get schooled by your queen," Zelda replied, before the sudden strike of her sword was blocked by the Master Sword.

Zelda had been learning the art of the sword since she was a girl, as was customary for all members of the Hyrulean Royal Family. She had kept up with the practice as often as she could over the years but it was little more than a hobby. During the Battle of the Throne, Zelda had wanted to join her soldiers against Zant's attacks, knowing she could provide some aid, but all her years of proper instruction had been for nothing when she had stood frozen while her men were slaughtered around her. It was one thing to learn how to parry, thrust or block against a tutor or dummy, but another thing entirely when you're faced with a real enemy. Her shame from that day continues to haunt Zelda, so she has always taken very seriously her training sessions with Link because she refuses to ever again be the useless and defenceless damsel.

The clash of swords filled the private training ring where only the eyes of Faris and Jerret were allowed to observe their queen's progress. Today, neither of the men were able to join in Link's teachings and that was exactly how Zelda had wanted it to be. The truth was, she had yet to tell Link anything about her engagement plans. It was a miracle possible only by Link's persistence to keep busy and disregard for gossip that he hadn't found out already. However, if he had learnt through idle hearsay, Zelda was sure that he would be beyond cross. Every day the queen told herself that she would tell him, that she'd sit him down and explain what had transpired during the Council meeting and that she was sorry for not having told him sooner because she did not wish to worry him further considering his injury. Yet, even when she had Link alone or found the time to talk with him, she didn't.

Excuse after excuse stopped her from speaking: that she had other errands to see to, that he looked tired and should go rest, or that it was not the right time… it mattered not. Link had been out of bed for two weeks now, no... more than that now and he'd been so focused on getting back his strength and learning right-handed swordsmanship that Zelda just had not told him. Sometimes a small voice would whisper to her that it wasn't his business, that it was a queen's personal matter, but then another voice would yell at her that Link was the Personal Guard to the Queen, her knight, the Saviour of Hyrule, Hero Chosen by the Gods, and her friend… he had every right to know and she should have told him even when he was still bedridden.

Lifting her arms to block his downward thrust, Zelda's strength fought back against Link's and their swords lowered so that their eyes met. In either of their faces was the determination blazing in their eyes and expressions, the stubbornness to win, as well as the thrill of competitiveness and adrenaline. A smirk appeared on Link's lips as he added some more weight into his sword, forcing Zelda to take a steadying step back and for her brow to furrow with resolve. The woman was locked onto her knight's eyes to look for any sign of pain or weary, but only saw herself in his gaze and she realized just how physically close they were positioned.

Perhaps Link realized this also, for he blinked and his smirk dropped as he faltered in his stance. Zelda's blade slid down the side of the Master Sword and Link pushed it aside in time for the steel to miss his head but it did strike his left shoulder's armour. Instantly, Zelda's eyes widened and she jumped back, dropping her sword, when she saw the pain writhe across her knight's expression.

"Oh, Link! I am so sorry! I didn't mean to… I-"

"Well now, it would seem that either… I need more training with my right hand or I am the best teacher ever because you are improving quite nicely…" Link words interrupted his queen's worries and his brilliant and arrogant smile masked the sweat dripping down his neck from the pain or how the muscles in his left arm were twitching.

"But I… Link, your shoulder…."

"It's well protected, see?" Link proceeded to knock on his shoulder armour and his smile softened as he slowly replaced the Master Sword into its sheath, albeit with his right hand. Rotating his shoulders a bit, the knight nodded and cleared his throat, either from the pain or the fact that their sparring had ended so physically close, before he met Zelda's eyes. "Yeah… I think that I'm just a great teacher. You are doing so well that I think that by the time I'm finally healed completely, you might actually give me a decent duel. Of course… I would also have learned even more from the Gerudo so… We'll call this luck on your part and nothing to so with my shoulder being as it is. Okay?"

As Link spoke, Zelda simply sighed and arched her brow with exasperated amusement. There was no winning with Link, not when it came to him revealing his shortcomings, and she knew that all this talk was just him covering up the fact that he couldn't move his left arm and was waiting for the aching to subside. She knew how he felt, for she had spoken to Renado extensively and the shaman had told his queen all of his concerns. While Link had still been recovering in bed, envoys had been sent to the Gerudo demanding more information about the Atishokull. Each time the women of the desert tribe revealed more cryptic knowledge, their distrust of the Hylian people prohibiting them from openly discussing the deadly and rare poison. It had been Nabila each time to say that Link would need to come to them, so that they might examine the wound themselves and then be able to offer their help and knowledge.

The Gerudo's resistance to coming to Hyrule Castle was clear and Zelda had really juggled with the decision of whether or not she ought to forcibly bring members of the tribe to the castle in order to get some straight answers. It had been very stressful to say the least, for the queen had many members of the Council breathing down her neck to arrest the tribeswomen, with rumours circulating the streets that the Gerudo had been responsible for Link's poisoning. It had taken every ounce of Zelda's willpower not to order for everyone to leave her alone so she could just think. The final decision that the Gerudo were innocent was thanks to Link, who, bandages and all, appeared before a large group of Council members to tell them words surely none of them would never forget and have since cycled through the rumour channels:

"Listen to me now… If the Gerudo had wanted me dead, they would have done so themselves, with one sword across my throat and another through my gut. My body would never have been found. So... heed my warning when I say, leave them alone."

Zelda was told later that after Link left, Matriarch Lienne had fainted and a couple of soldiers guarding some nearby doors had actually applauded the knight's words. It had taken every ounce of Zelda's royal power to convince Link to remain in Hyrule until the spring's first full moon before he left for the Gerudo. Tonight just so happened to be the full moon, which meant that Link was leaving tomorrow. Zelda had forgotten this, at least during their current training session, until the man had mentioned his training with them just now.

"Zelda?"

"Yes?"

"Are you all right? I'm fine, really… so stop worrying about me, okay?"

Link's words broke through Zelda's faraway gaze and she blinked at his caring and understanding expression. A blush filled her cheeks and she waved him away, offering him a smile before she said, "I know you're fine, Link, I was just… taking a moment to savour my victory over the Hero Chosen by the Gods."

"A moment is all you will get… for that is how long it will last." Link's pout as he upturned his nose only made Zelda laugh, which was the general idea. Grinning down at her, Link gestured for her to follow him and they walked over to a nearby bench where a side table held a pitcher of water, some glasses, and a few snacks. Setting aside her sword on another table, Zelda beat Link to being the one to pour the water. Soon enough they sat side-by-side, sipping on their water and looking up at the sky or the castle's huge walls. This section had been sanctioned off so Zelda could train away from the Hyrulean soldiers, but every so often a shout could be heard from the castle's grounds or a horse's whinny.

Either then that, the pair had peace and quiet to train in, with only the wind and birds to complete their choir accompaniment. A sigh directed Zelda's peripheral to glance at Link and she subtly watched him shift his left shoulder with a somewhat tight expression. When he was done Link instantly glanced at Zelda, but saw her casually sipping on her water while watching a small sparrow land near her feet.

"Link?"

"Yeah?"

"When was it that you wished to depart tomorrow?"

"I was hoping to leave before dawn, so I could get to the Great Desert before noon and avoid most of that Goddess forsaken heat. Why?"

"I was just wondering. The time had slipped my mind."

"Oh really? That's not like you… are you sure you forgot or are you already starting to miss me?"

Zelda looked over to meet Link's grinning face, his eyes shining brightly with delight, and she rolled hers. With a shake of her head, the queen smiled a bit and returned to watch some birds hop about the training ring. "I assure you that my curiosity is purely to rectify my moment of forgetfulness-"

"So you won't miss me?"

Link grunted when she hit him idly with the back of her hand, his chuckles echoing her sigh. The pair continued to smile, not exactly looking at one another, but entirely aware of the other's presence. A question hung in the air, unspoken: who would break first and speak what either was really thinking? Zelda conceded that now would be an opportune moment to tell Link about her upcoming engagement and perhaps the calm setting was exactly what was needed for such a sensitive topic. Seconds passed and then minutes and shadows drifted across the training yard as clouds drove slowly across the sky.

A sigh broke the silence and it came from Link.

"I know that you're worried about me, Zelda, and that you don't like that I am to leave tomorrow," he spoke softly, a gentle smile upon his lips and in his eyes when he turned to look at her. "I know… that what happened to me was really hard on you, probably more than what I've come to understand, but I hope that you believe me when I tell you that everything will be all right. It'll only be for a week that I'll be absent and hopefully during that time the Gerudo can shed some light on the Atishokull. I trust Nabila's word, though it took a few years, just as it took a while for you to undoubtedly trust mine."

Link's eyes were locked onto Zelda's and he saw the waver of emotion in her eyes. Such moments such as these, Link felt the urge to reach over and comfort his queen, but he never did. Though they might be the closest of friends, he was still her knight and she was still royalty and with that came respect of space. It wasn't just that people would start and rumours would start, but it was a silent understanding that getting too close physically would be inappropriate. It was common knowledge that anyone who wasn't a noble could not be romantically linked with a member of the royal family and that was just how it had been for centuries. There were neighbouring kingdoms to Hyrule, so the gene pool wasn't as shallow as it could be, but communication and contact with these kingdoms were sparse and infrequent; every kingdom was sovereign and responsible for their own happenings.

Wetting her lips, Zelda smiled truthfully at Link and he continued. "We'll have some answers to our questions. I promise that when I return that I'll tell you everything."

Unbeknownst to Zelda but Link truly meant when he said 'everything'. He had yet to reveal to her his spiritual journey to the Dark Realm or how the shadows chased him when he thought of that dark place, but hopefully the Gerudo would be able to explain the experience. He wanted to tell her, but since it was the Atishokull that had sent him to the Dark Realm, he'd ask the tribeswomen first to see if this was a common occurrence.

Unbeknownst to Link but Zelda inwardly flinched with guilt when he promised that he would tell her everything, yet she sat beside him with news she had yet to reveal. He trusted her with his life, was responsible for her safety and wellbeing, and truly cared about her feelings. She wanted to reach over and take his hand, as she had when he lay unconscious with Death looming over him after the arrow attack, but she did not. Instead, she gently reached over and adjusted his shoulder armour, smiling as she gently smoothed her fingers over the polished metal.

"I look forward to it," she finally said, giving the armour the smallest of pats and then removed her hand. "When you return, I promise that much will be discussed and revealed."

"Excellent!" Link exclaimed, drinking down the last of his water before standing. "I best be off to speak with Faris, to discuss again your guard while I am away. I shall meet with you later, yes?"

Zelda stood and joined her knight at his side. Looking up at him she nodded and said, "Yes, I shall see you later."

'Let him go to the Gerudo, for he has so much on his mind. I do not wish to weigh down his nerve with my woes while he is there. There will be time when he returns to tell him,' Zelda thought as she followed Hyrule's hero from the training area. Once again the small voice at the back of her brain argued that she was just making another excuse to not tell Link that soon she was to be engaged and once again Zelda asked that voice why she was so reluctant to do so.

/ / / / /

"Greetings, Sir Link!"

"Sir Arvid… just the man I was looking for."

Although Arvid was older than the green-clad hero, Link was his superior knight and thus Arvid was first to strike his left fist to his breast in salute, to which Link instantly replied with his own salute.

Lowering his hand, Arvid continued. "Yes, I had heard that you were looking for me. How may I be of service?"

"Well, I was just speaking with Sir Faris and I heard that you were still in Castle Town."

"Ah yes, I had intended to return to Kakariko Village by now but… certain recent events have prohibited me from straying too far away from the castle, I'm afraid. I hope that you can understand."

"Yes, of course, you being a noble son and all, your family being here and whatnot," Link said, nodding. "Well it's a good thing that you are here because there is a special duty that I wish to entrust to you."

Arvid's brow rose momentarily in confusion from Link's words, hearing him speak so casually about his situation as being a suitor. The close friendship between Sir Link and the queen was common knowledge. Many nights already Arvid had heard from the other noble families that the queen would make Link her Prince Consort, that she'd somehow change the law. This thought evaporated and his posture straightened upon hearing that the Saviour of Hyrule had a duty for him.

"Anything for you, Sir Link."

Taking the extra moment to size Arvid up one last time, Link gently took the other man by the arm to lead him to the other side of one of the castle's many halls. Once he was sure that they were alone enough and away from any prying eyes or ears, Link crossed his arms and stared at his fellow knight intently. "You are aware that I am to leave the castle tomorrow?"

"Yes, you are to return to the Gerudo tribe as Her Majesty's ambassador for a week."

"Correct. As the Personal Guard to the Queen, it is my duty to protect the Her Majesty. As you already know, a month ago I was seriously injured and it affected the queen terribly. It is necessary for me to go to the Great Desert, but I am worried about leaving the queen with only her usual guardsmen." Pausing a moment to furrow his brow, Link stared up at the taller man. Seeing some thing he liked in Arvid's eyes, Link continued with what he and Faris had decided. "It is my wish that you replace me and serve as the queen's personal guard during my absence. Now, please, let me explain," Link said, stopping Arvid's surprised words. "I know what will you say, that you aren't worthy or some such, but I also know that Queen Zelda and you have known each other for years. I also have heard of your efforts and acts of bravery and courage in Kakariko. I know that you bring pride to the Hyrulean Knighthood and that you are a perfect choice to protect the Queen."

Silence enveloped the two men and Link watched every shift in Arvid's expression as the man registered what was being asked of him. Emotion to emotion Link saw: shock, deep-thought, excitement, fear, determination, resolve and then… the man began to blush? That sort of reaction Link hadn't really expected but as soon as he saw it, Arvid cleared his throat and straightened. "Sir Link, I am honoured that you have asked me of this request and that I was your choice to take up the mantle of personally protecting Her Royal Highness, even if it is for a week. I accept this duty that you have bestowed upon me and promise to protect the Queen Zelda with my sword and my life."

Hearing this, Link nodded and said, "Good… I am glad," before he finally relaxed his serious composure and smiled at the man. "Now that that's settled, how have you been, Arvid?"

Taken aback by the man's sudden change, Arvid fumbled before replying, his head still whirling from the huge responsible and honour given to him and all of the embarrassing implications it promised. Didn't Sir Link know that he was a suitor? Did that even matter? Did the hero trust him as a knight to not try anything with the queen? Or was this some sort of test? Or was it possible that this was Link's way of letting Arvid know that he approved of his position as a potential husband to the queen? So many questions, but what was the right one? Arvid realized that Link was still staring at him, waiting for an answer, before the knight was able to blurt something out.

"Oh! I'm, ah… Fine! Yes, been keeping as busy as I can while I'm here… Lots of family matters to discuss, as you might have heard."

"Well, I don't know much of the troubles of being a noble, but I can imagine," Link replied, his brow slightly higher in confusion or perhaps curiosity as to why Arvid was acting odd. The older man kept glancing away, was gripping nervously at his knight's cape, and Link could have sworn he saw the man blush when he asked him to watch the queen while he was gone.

Hyrule's hero decided to press. "Are you sure that you're all right? I mean, if you don't feel like you're up to protecting the queen while I'm-"

"No! No, please, I'm fine really," Arvid said hastily, cutting ff Link, who blinked in surprise. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Arvid began again, "Truly I am all right and I would never even consider declining such an honour. It's just… well with things being the way they are at the moment, I'm just surprised that you would still choose me."

"Things being the way they are? Listen, Arvid, if you're worried about what happened to me, I can assure you that you won't be escorting Zelda on any riding trips. That's all been shut down for now by the Council. Any instructions you need about what to do as the queen's guard Zelda herself can tell you. Or I can now-"

"No it's not that…" Arvid began, trailing off while looking at Link, realizing that perhaps he might actually not know? "I mean with me being a suit-"

"A more than suitable candidate to protect me while Sir Link is attending to his ambassadorial duties."

The queen's voice sang through the hall and instantly both Arvid and Link turned her way before bowing. Zelda approached the two men, now wearing a green dress with fresh flowers adoring her hair since having bathed after her sword-training lesson, and stopped before them, smiling. While she appeared regal and calm, beneath her collected composure her heart hammered with panic from almost being too late to interrupt Arvid from speaking further.

"Your Majesty, such high praise from you I cherish and am honoured to hear," Arvid said, straightening from his bow and subtly fixing his hair.

"And it is well deserved, Sir Arvid. Your exploits as a knight are most admirable, are they not, Sir Link?"

"Indeed they are, which is why Faris and I have decided that he replace me… for the week of my absence, of course."

Link smiled at Zelda and she at him, though what she was really doing was trying to gage if Link suspected anything. She knew him very well and even though he was pretty good at concealing his emotions, she couldn't see any anger or realization in his eyes, just happiness, slight confusion perhaps, and something else she didn't have time to analyze.

"So this is what you were to discuss with Sir Faris?"

"Indeed it was, as well as a few other things," Link replied to his queen before glancing aside at Arvid. "I'm sure that you'll be in excellent hands under the guard of Sir Arvid."

"And so I shall be…" Zelda replied, flashing her eyes aside at Arvid to silence him from saying anything more; the knight cast his eyes down from his queen's harsh glance, finally understanding.

Link, oblivious to the silent exchange, nodded and clapped his right hand against his leg: his work here was done! "Well I best be off, I still need to go and make sure Epona is healthy enough for the journey and also pack. Zelda, I leave you in good hands and I'll let the both of you become better acquainted."

Bowing slightly in his leave, Link walked off leaving Zelda and Arvid staring after him, before meeting eyes.

"My lady, I-"

"Please, Arvid, not another word on the matter. Now! Come with me. There is much to discuss and we shall go over what entails as my daily routine and your expectations, seeing as that we will be spending a lot of time together over the coming week."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Arvid replied with a bow of his head as he followed her, a blush in his cheeks as the scents of fresh flowers from her hair filled his nostrils.

/ / / / /

Descending Hyrule Castle's main grand staircase, Link had decided to not take the shortcut route through the back of the castle to reach the stables. Rather, he decided to go from the front courtyard in order to mingle with the soldiers on his way to see Epona. Excitement quickened his footsteps as his mind raced about all he had to do to be prepared to leave tomorrow. The meeting with Arvid had gone well, albeit a bit odd, but Link waved that aside as being nerves from Arvid. The request was an honour for sure and to be asked of such a responsibility so suddenly would catch any man off guard. To make matters worse, Zelda herself had appeared and understandably that would make the knight's nerves even more on edge, so Link could excuse the other man's behaviour. Still… Arvid had been trying to say something before Zelda appeared… something that was almost difficult for him to say...

"With things being the way they are…" Link repeated under his breath, his brows furrowing slightly in confusion. What did Arvid mean by that?

"Ah, Sir Link! What good fortune to see Hyrule's hero on this day!"

The sudden voice broke through Link's deepening thoughts and he paused on the second-last step of the staircase to regard the man who had called to him. There, standing about twenty feet from him and bathed in the light spilling out from the opened main castle doors, was Lord Bohdan. Link's face instantly fell but he recovered with the slightest of nods as was customary when meeting any noble, even the ones that were utterly detestable.

Bohdan, the only son of Euros, heir of the Gefion Family, who was next in line for the Patriarchy, and was also a notorious bastard. Link remembered the first time he had come in contact with the man and it was not long after he had arrived in Hyrule five years ago. Link had found himself living in the finest house in Castle Town, under the same roof as the queen herself, but the house didn't belong to her. It was the house of the Gefion Family, the richest family in all of Hyrule aside from any royal lines. This meant, of course, that Link had found himself in Bohdan's own home and it was well-known that the Gefions weren't all that grateful for being chosen to give up their home to the queen and her guard while the castle was under reconstruction.

In those days, living in Castle Town had taken some time to get used to. Link was beginning his basic soldier's training but was also navigating the town. True he knew the roads and side roads, but now the town was bustling with new life: Goron workers for the castle, merchants, folks from Kakariko, and so forth. For the first couple of weeks Link remained incognito, which had been a slight stroke to his pride. Donning a blue tunic with a simple white design to replace his heroic green one, Link strolled around the town without his floppy hat upon his head in his spare time. Still, word and rumour spread through the small town that the Hero Chosen by the Gods, Hyrule's Saviour, was living with the queen. This of course interested the Gefion Family…

It was Bohdan who found out who Link was and had cornered him for an introduction.

After sharing a couple of pints with Captain Jerret and the lads after a long day of training, Link, a bit tipsy and indeed been wearing his blue tunic at the time, was climbing the stairs from Telma's Bar. It hadn't become so late that his arrival at the Gefion House would disturb anyone but all the same, Link hadn't wanted to be out too late for there was more training to be done in the morning. Halfway up the stairs a man suddenly appeared and blocked his path, causing Link to step back in surprise.

It was dangerous to corner a hero with a couple mugs of mead in his belly; however, as the Hylian was reaching for the Master Sword the figure bowed to the hero and boldly stated, "Fear not, O Hero of Hyrule, for I do not wish you any harm! Only to meet the man who has saved our kingdom and who now lives beneath my family's own roof… what an honour this truly is."

"Wh-what? Your family's roof? What are you-?"

"Alas, my manners! Allow me to formally introduce myself, though this is a somewhat unsavoury place."

The man straightened and finally Link was able to see the man's face more clearly. His long, shoulder-length, ash brown hair framed a strong face, though years of decadence and indulgence had thickened his cheekbones and neck. A wax-curled moustache half-hid his lips and there was a serpentine glare in his eyes and in the way he smiled; even before Link heard his name, he did not like this man who had cornered him on the tavern's steps.

"The name is Bohdan of the Gefion Family, eldest son to Euros and next in line to become Patriarch. It is a true honour and pleasure to finally meet the famed Hero of Hyrule."

"Lord Bohdan. Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you as well," Link said, forcing a small smile on his lips, as he ascended the last couple of steps to be on even ground as the nobleman. Bohdan was taller than Link, though the hero had been shorter then in comparison to the present, but even with the additional inches that Link would achieve, Bohdan stood about six feet tall.

Bohdan took notice of this as well, for his smile widened a tiny bit and he said, "I see now that the songs that people sing of Hyrule's hero envision a man of near gigantic proportions. Reality is not so, is it?"

"I suppose…" Link said, a raise in his brow. "Why do you think that I am Hyrule's Saviour? Don't they usually mention a 'hero donned in green'?" Link had heard all of the songs and they all made him feel embarrassed and inadequate.

"That is true, but they also sing how the hero wields a blade with a hilt of royal purple and I can see that indeed such a sword is upon your back."

"Could just be a popular colour, people want to be like the hero," the Hylian said with a shrug, not exactly admitting that Bohdan was correct in assuming who he was.

Alas, Bohdan knew better and the twinge in his eye revealed as much. Had Link caught on that on more than one occasion he had been secretly followed in and around the town? The Gefion Family wanted to the first of the noble families to confirm the identity of the hero in order to begin planning how they might ensnare him into their kinship, as did the other noble families. Of course Link knew all of this… he wasn't stupid and the queen definitely wasn't. On Link's second day within the town she warned him of how notoriously conniving the noble families could be and that having the Saviour of Hyrule as a son-in-law had become the ultimate prize and bragging right. The fact the Bohdan knew who Link was came as no surprise, but for the nobleman to approach him in such a manner had taken Link aback.

It was putting it nicely to say that Link did not like meeting under such circumstances.

"Master Link, if I may be bold enough to call you by your name, please do not take me as a fool. I know who you are and I am simply hoping to extend my gratitude and pleasantries towards a man of your repute."

In other words, 'My spies have told me who you are and there is no use in denying it', Link thought as he slowly nodded. "All right, I am who you say I am. Might I take this opportunity for me to personally thank you and your family for offering such fine accommodations to Her Majesty and myself. It's a lovely home."

Link couldn't help himself. This guy had annoyed him with his false smile, his spying subterfuge, and for approaching him after a couple hours of revelry, souring the taste of mead in his mouth. The hero saw the falter in the nobleman's smile upon being reminded that he no longer slept in his fine bed, but quickly enough the lord covered his internal rage with a bow of his head.

"I will extend your gratitude to my family and father, the Lord Euros, and I assure you that is a pleasure to be had by the Gefion Family to offer our home to the likes of Her Majesty and Hyrule's hero. From what I know of your Ordonian origins, such finery of my home must be something quite a change from your… modest upbringing."

Ah, yes… the rich are best and everyone else was trash… Link continued to smile, not missing a beat, "Indeed! It is quite different, though in my opinion the beds are a bit too soft for my liking. With such comfort I can easily see how some may not wish to jump to action too quickly. As a hero, I just cannot let that happen."

Link had hit his mark and the vein popping from Bohdan's neck was evidence of this. It was common knowledge that when Zant had attacked, many members of the noble families did nothing to aid in protecting the overthrow of the castle, they simply barricaded themselves in their houses or hidden cellars out of fear. There was even some whispers that come nobles had even been bribed to not interfere as the castle went up in flames.

"As yes, we wouldn't want the Hero of Hyrule to become too comfortable. Who knows what evils may still be lurking in the shadows, hm? Let all of Hyrule hope that you, Master Link, will always be around to save the day…"

"Don't worry, I will be."

Bohdan and Link regarded each other for a moment, either daring the other to look away first, and a knife could have cut the tension in the air. Each man had made himself clear of what he thought of the other, even if no words of negativity had been actually spoke: To Bohdan, Link was a rustic dwarf fouling his home and was too close to the queen for his liking, for he was destined to marry the queen and become her Prince Consort. To Link, Lord Bohdan was a pompous asshole who needed a good schooling in the training ring for a taste of some humility. Basically, they did not like each other from the start.

So seeing Bohdan now, In Hyrule Castle, looking up at Link with his smug smile, made the knight's gut twist. His boots touched the floor from the stairs and Link came to stand before the nobleman. Indeed, Link had gained some height since the first time they had met but Bohdan remained taller and the nobleman enjoyed reminded this to the hero by straightening his posture even more when he was around him.

"Lord Bohdan. What brings you to the castle?" Link asked, keeping his tone in check, though really it was strange for the man to come to the castle if there was party going on: he preferred the brothel or so Link had heard.

"Well, if you must know, I have come to inquire if or when Her Majesty might be free in the near future. "

"Oh? And why is that?" Link's brow rose in curiosity and slight suspicion. Even if it wasn't rumour that the reason that Bohdan wasn't married already was because he was Euros' only son and wanted him to marry the queen, Link was the Personal Guard to the Queen and had a right to know why Bohdan wanted to meet with Zelda.

"To anyone else I would surely say that my business is not theirs but in this case, I know that anything to do with Her Majesty is your business as well."

Something in Link's mind did not at all like that way Bohdan was smiling at him, like he had some sort of advantage over Link that wasn't his height in this case. All the same, Link maintained his calm, knightly composure and waited for the nobleman to continue.

Shrugging casually, Bohdan made a show of fixing his the cuff of his probably very expensive coat and said, "I came to see when I could spend some time with the queen, alone time that is. Though, of course I don't know how alone we can be, she being our beloved monarch, but I'm sure that someone of your standing is used to being privy in conversations that perhaps might be more... private."

"Private?" Link repeated, really not liking how Bohdan had emphasized that wording, like he was somehow bragging to the knight.

"Yes, but I know that I can trust you because Queen Zelda trusts you. Come to think of it, I had heard that you leaving to the desert for a week to be with those barbaric tribal women. Is this true?"

"It is…" the knight replied through gritted teeth, his eyes slightly narrowing at the grin on the bastard's face, or how he feigned a thoughtful nod. Goddesses this jerk-off needed good punch in his thick face...

"Well, I do wish you the best, especially considering your accident last month. I do hope you are doing well but, as I can see, you're on your feet and as fit as ever. The Goddesses be praised!"

"Thank you for your kind words, Lord Bohdan, but returning to why you are here to see the queen…"

"Oh, yes, well isn't it obvious? I'm sure you know why the likes of myself, Sir Arvid of the Arianwen Family, Everard of the Erall Family, and Jarah of the Tellan Family, will be frequenting Her Majesty more frequently over the next few months. Though, there isn't much competition from Everard, he's just a boy and Arvid, well, he is a knight, as you know… Alas, the best man wins, or so they say, not that I am inclining that her Royal Highness is a prize to won. Wouldn't you agree, Sir Link?"

Each word Bohdan spoke was specifically chosen and he lingered on words like 'knight', 'best man', and 'prize'. It was clear that the man was trying to rile Link up, rub something in his face, or even make him jealous… The fact remained, however, that Link had no clue what Bohdan was getting at but he wasn't about to let the horse's ass know that.

"I wish you all the best then, Lord Bohdan. Sir Arvid will be replacing me as Her Majesty's personal guardsman whilst I am away, just to let you know who may be privy to any topics you discuss with the queen. Now, if you excuse me, I must be leaving. There is much for me to do before I depart in the morning."

When Link mentioned Arvid's name, the knight saw that flash of fury in Bohdan's eyes and how tight his smile began before the lord bowed his head. "Of course, Sir Link. I wish you the safest of travels."

Link inclined his head and stepped around the lord before exiting the main castle doors. Stepping out into the sunlight, Link kept his pace quick and with purpose, ignoring those he passed having forgotten his original reason for coming this way. His mind was racing with Bohdan's damned words and the four names that circled his head.

"What the fuck was the bastard getting at? What's his game?" Link muttered under his breath. Bohdan, Arvid, Everard, and Jarah… what did these men have in common? Why were they special or worth mentioning even? Why did Bohdan feel the need to mention them? That was the bigger question... obviously the fool felt that saying their names would make Link upset somehow. Why, though? All of them were all from different noble families, were different ages, had different claims to wealth, and they were all…

"Unmarried," Link breathed, pausing with his walking. Standing in the shade of the high castles walls, the stables not that far from him, Link's eyes went wide before narrowing as his mind registered that all four nobleman were all unmarried and all of marrying age. "And if what Bohdan said is true, that they are to be expected to be visiting Zelda, then that could only mean... that could mean... it means..."

Turning to look up at the high towers of the castle where somewhere within Zelda was possibly alone with Arvid right now, Link whispered, "Is Zelda… is she to marry one of them?"

Ice filled Link's veins as he spoke those words but were quickly burned away with fury when a small voiced whispered in his mind, that if this was the truth then it sounded like everyone knew save for him. That's why Bohdan was acting so smug, what Arvid meant when he had said 'the way things being as they are', and why… why Zelda had been acting strangely for the last month. Had she seriously known all this time and hadn't told him? No one had told him? Who knew? Such news of this magnitude and importance… could the entire kingdom know? So many questions and to whom could he turn to answer them? Zelda? How could he turn to her about this? How could he accuse her of withholding such important information? Could he accuse her of such a thing? A friend to a friend could, but could a knight to his queen? Did he even have a right? Was this information Zelda had every reason not to share with him? But he was the Personal Guard to the Queen, so didn't that mean he ought to know?

Was he wrong? Had Bohdan simply been playing with him and he had fallen for his ruse? Was Zelda really getting married, or at least that was the plan? Was she simply going to let him leave to the Great Desert without him knowing?

"She was going to let me leave without knowing? How long has this been going on? Am I wrong or am I right?" he whispered aloud, a deep sigh escaping his lips and his head fell, eyes half-lidded. What was the truth?

"Zelda..." the knight spoke softly, the feeling of betrayal encircling his heart. The arrow wound in his left shoulder began to burn as Link narrowed his eyes. Slowly the shadows around him darkened ever so slightly, drawing closer around him as anger filled his being, and Link raised his head to glare up at the castle's towers and up at Zelda wherever she was.