This is the final chapter! Sorry that it took me so long to upload. I got kind of distracted with my other story... hehe. Anyways, enjoy!

The Hero of Hyrule tried to tell himself that he was staying in Castletown past Farore's Festival for the sake of catching up with friends and comrades, but deep in his mind he knew better than to lie to himself. The truth was plain and pure: he was more than interested in the Princess of the land. It had extended beyond a simple friendship and shone upon a whole new array of emotions he had never felt previously, and he could only label them as "infatuation". He told himself that was all it was; just interest in her. But the two both knew it was deeper than that. She was the single thing that held him in Castletown, even if she hadn't directly requested he do so. Sure, he would likely see her on their monthly visit to the Arbiter's Grounds, but seeing her almost daily made him feel a wholeness he hadn't felt in a long time—perhaps ever. The feeling was addictive, and he feared the withdrawals he might suffer if he left.

Link sat at Telma's bar, elbows leaned on the polished wood of her counter while mindlessly folding and unfolding a paper repeatedly as his mind wandered elsewhere. Near the back of the bar, he could hear Telma scolding a particularly rowdy group of men that had stumbled into her humble bar, upset over their careless behavior of not using coasters on her wood tables.

After delivering the firm scolding, she marched her way back to her spot behind the counter while muttering under her breath about "wretched men". With a heaving sigh, she continued organizing empty glasses on the shelves. With a glance, she spotted Link in his distracted twiddling, and gave a knowing grinned. "She has you star-struck," she gave a hearty laugh, and the Hero met her sideways stare.

"Hm?" He questioned, still in a distracted daze.

Telma nodded, her earrings swaying against her neck. "Yep, definitely star-struck."

Link only stared at her and shrugged as he tried his hardest to suppress a grin from spreading on his face.

"Well," she continued. "What are you doing here, crinkling my papers? Get out of here, take her out. Go horseback riding—something." She waved her hands at Link in a shooing manner, but he only continued his clueless stare. Telma put her hands upon her hips and stared him down as if he was a helpless toddler. "Sweetie, she may be the Princess of Hyrule, but she's still a woman. Plus," she grinned, "she'd be a fool to turn you down."

He opened his mouth to protest, but Telma simply came around her counter and pulled him from his seat by the arm and pushed him to the door. "Show her your favorite part of Hyrule. You did plenty of traveling some time ago; I'm sure there is somewhere that you would like to show her." With that, she shoved him out the door and stood firmly between him and the inside of her shop, forbidding him from returning. "Get out of here and go win your princess," she grinned again.

She must be mad.

What was he doing, standing at the grand front room of Hyrule Castle, waiting as a guard fetched the Princess of Hyrule so he could "have a word with her"? Perhaps Telma's lunacy was rubbing off on him. Then again, she likely wouldn't allow him to stay in his room at her bar until he had done as she'd said. It was true: Link had wanted and thought of requesting to spend time with the Princess several times, but had never had the courage to. Ironic, he the bearer of the Triforce of Courage, was afraid to ask a woman to spend the day with him.

"Presenting Princess Zelda of Hyrule," the guard's voice boomed through the vaulted room. Link's heart quickened, the formal presentation not helping his nervousness in the slightest.

There she was: regal and stone-faced—and beautiful—walking with a pair of armored guards into the open room. At the sight of him, her face did not change, simply remained unreadable as she came to a stop only a few feet from the nervous mess bowing low before her.

"Guards," she said in a clear and ordering voice, "you are dismissed."

The man on her left widened his eyes. "With all due respect, your Majesty, but we must-"

"Leave us be," she said calmly, her serious eyes pinned on her hero. The guards reluctantly left her side and left through the doors to the side, followed by the other guards standing at silent attention around the room. Finally, the stone floor was silent from any clanking metal boots and only two souls were left standing on the carpeted stone.

"Rise, Hero." Her royal stance remained, to his surprise and disappointment as he straightened from his bow. "What is your business here?"

"Princess," he tried to keep his voice solid as he tried to gather his words. "I request your Majesty's company today. I hoped to allow you a break from your royal duties." Trying to form his words in a respectful and formal manner was alien to him.

"Very well," she responded. "I shall grant your request. When are we to leave?"

Her regal and emotionless atmosphere made his nervousness increase even more. They were alone, weren't they? She needn't be so formal, right? "Thank you, your Majesty. I was hoping we could leave right now on horseback."

The Princess nodded, a graceful and precise movement that caused the headpiece crowned upon her head to glint in the windowlight. "So it shall be. I will meet you at the northern gate behind the castle in fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, Princess," he responded, bowing low again. "I look forward to it."

She tilted her head in a slight bow as well, and quietly added "As do I." With that, she dismissed him and left through the archway that she had come.

Yes. He was as much as a lunatic as Telma—if not more, waiting for the Princess. The courageous Hero of Twilight thought his heart would pound straight through his ribs and into the open at any moment, assuming he didn't faint before then. This nervousness was almost unmatched to the anticipation of battling the Demon King himself, though it felt a whole different way than awaiting a violent fight. Beneath the shaking nervousness, however, he felt absolutely delighted and happier than he had felt since he finally rid the darkness from the kingdom he loved over a year ago. This battle of emotions was chaotically and unrelentingly fighting within him, one of excitement and dread. It was a war that he had never been a part of until now, standing with Epona's reigns in his hand and leaning against the wall of the Hyrule Castle. Link could only pray to the Goddesses that he didn't look at petrified as he felt standing there, clad in casual clothing of simple trousers, boots and a long-sleeved shirt.

The day was lovely, the warm sun hovering early in the sky with a gentle and cool breeze lifting his dully blond locks of hair. All of Hyrule's grass and trees seemed to mock him with a calm idleness, as if all in the land was fine. But clearly not all was fine; he could hardly keep his mind clear as he blinked rapidly at his shaking hands. Frankly put, he was still a nervous mess.

"Link."

The gentle voice broke him from his panicked state, and he lifted the blues of his eyes to meet the dark blue of the Princess's. She was wearing simple riding clothing and trousers as well, her dark hair pulled onto her head to stay out of her eyes. The radiance and beauty she wore made her peasant-like attire seem like the most sophisticated formalwear. A soft smile graced her face, the stone princess finally melted away and left within the cold confines of the stone castle. She was raw, genuine, and absolutely stunning. Against all odds, Link's heart began to pound even harder.

He offered her a smile, despite his nervousness. "Shall we head out?" He asked simply, anxious to get going. Zelda nodded joyfully, mounting her familiar horse that Link recognized from when he walked her from the Gerudo Desert. With a swift movement of his own, he too sat upon his own horse and he began heading north with Zelda by his side.

"Where are we headed?" She turned to him questioningly.

Only a lopsided grin was given in return, and Zelda scolded her heart for fluttering at the sight. "You will see."

The pair was headed down a narrow path toward what seemed like Zora's Domain. Zelda was doubted that he intended to show her the Domain however, considering he likely knew of the often-occurring visits that she gave Prince Ralis to aid him with his people. He was such a young and broken ruler, but she had learned through him that Link had helped him to forget his grieving and become a ruling prince again for his people. With a discreet sideways stare, Zelda marveled at all Hyrule's Hero had managed on his adventures. It seemed every soul in Hyrule knew him, and it warmed her heart to know so. He was a kind and selfless Hylian, one that silently served his fellowmen and women without a moment's hesitation and few words.

The walls of the small canyon they had been heading through gradually opened, revealing a crystal river bubbling on their right. If she turned her head at the perfect angle behind her, Zelda could make out the faint waterfalls that surrounded Zora's Domain. The secrecy of the trip was nearly killing her, and any time she tried to pry the answer from her silent hero she was answered with the same response of "You will see."

The river eventually opened up to a large area, and she spotted familiar Hylian-made gates that marked the river was flowing toward the Hyrule Castle. But they were traveling the opposite direction, upstream, over a natural stone bridge, and then stopped in front a wooden door imbedded firmly in the side of the mountain. It was a mystery to her what lied on the other side. She noted the small wooden fish carved onto the door.

"Is this it?" She tested, watching Link as he swung off his loyal horse and onto the grassy ground, a small and knowing smile gleaming in his bright eyes. He approached her, holding his hand out to aid her in climbing off her horse. At the touch of their bare hands together, she felt another tingle of electricity-like tendrils climb up her arm as he guided her from her horse's back. "It is," he responded, flashing an excited smile. She couldn't help but grin as well, despite her frustration of not knowing where or what they were doing. Nimbly, she followed him as they approached the wooden door, and he grabbed the handle to permit them inside.

Zelda was taken aback at the stunning sight that laid within the wooden door, concealed behind the steep mountain wall. It was the last thing she had expected, and its beauty nearly stole her breath away. She walked into an area around a large and clear pond, enclosed on all sides with green cliffs and rushing waterfalls. Trees surrounded the still water, covered fully in pink blossoms that swayed gently in the breeze, their floral fragrance wafting to the pair's noses. A queer yet serene rock structure stood proudly in the center of the pond, moss growing all over the stone and dressing it in a vibrant green.

Of all the places of Hyrule she had ever seen, this secluded pond was the most exquisite of all.

As she gaped and absorbed the scenery with wide eyes, Link stared at her with a proud grin soft on his face. He wasn't paying any attention to the beauty of the pond, but rather the beauty that stood shocked before him in the gentle sunshine.

"Enchanting, isn't it?" He continued to stare at her face.

At long last, Zelda met his gaze and ignored her heart as it missed a few beats from the intense look in his eyes. "Very," she breathed. "I've never seen anything like it in all of Hyrule. Link, how did you know of this place? And what is it?"

"I nearly traveled every inch of our kingdom a year ago," he replied, now looking out at the calm waters of the pond. He stepped forward, leading Zelda to the wooden dock along the edge of the pond. "I ran across this fishing hole while exploring around Zora's Domain and I simply fell in love. You can imagine why, I am sure."

Her head bobbed in agreement as she leaned down to gently brush the pleasant water with her fingertips. Being Princess of Hyrule required her to constantly work from within the castle, and she rarely was permitted enough time to travel Hyrule in leisure. The most she got was a few days a month, which she spent by traveling to the unforgiving desert to mourn with Link. Now that he had been staying in Castletown, though, she had no reason to leave to meet him out in the desert. Perhaps now she could travel more of her kingdom now and discover other magical places like this one.

"My—our kingdom," she said, barely above a whisper, "is so very alluring."

"I can't argue with you there," he responded, taking in the view. "What do you say to canoeing?" An excited grin spread across his features, and Zelda laughed to see such an innocent and child-like look upon his face.

"I would love to."

Zelda admitted a bit too late—right as they were climbing into the wooden canoe, to be exact—that she had never been in a boat before. Her stomach took a nervous plunge when she stepped into the small boat and it swayed under her weight. Link noticed her uneasy state and helped her gently into the boat and situated her in the seat in front of him. He had tried unsuccessfully to convince her to let him do the rowing alone, but she was a stubborn woman that refused to be helpless and took a paddle despite his protests and tried her best to match his strokes as their boat cut cleanly through the crystal water.

Though she was rather skittish to be in a boat, the views distracted her clenched stomach as more waterfalls and plants came into sight. The pond's waters were so clear that she could see all the way to the ground below and see the fish gliding gracefully through it. Every meter of the enclosed space was absolutely gorgeous; there didn't seem to be a single speck of corruption in the entire area. As they slid through the waters in a familiar silence, Zelda frequently dipped her fingers into the cool liquid to feel it caress her skin. Ever sense of hers was in awe, and all the stress of being ruler of Hyrule was long forgotten. She never wanted to return home.

The blond hero sat behind her, smiling softly as he watched her enjoy the scenery, graze the water, and point out the wildlife wandering around the shores and swimming beneath them. She was most beautiful, he decided, when she was raw and natural like she was right now, smiling and relaxed. Sure, his Princess was stunning in a stoic and stern way, but his Zelda was a hundred times more dazzling.

"What kind of fish is that?" She was peering over the edge of the boat—cautiously of course, she flinched every time the canoe rocked—and pointing at an emerald colored fish with a narrow body.

"Hylian Loach," he stated, recalling catching a few and recording them in his fish journal. Zelda nodded, noting the name in her intelligent mind and moving onto the next sight. Suddenly, Link unconsciously shifted and the canoe rocked unsteadily. A gasp slipped from Zelda's mouth and she quickly clutched the sides of the boat. "Link, be careful!" She said irritably. To add to her agitation, he only laughed, a clear and ringing sound through the fishing hole.

"Sorry," he said, an amused tone still woven in his half-hearted apology. He shifted again, causing the boat to rock even more and she shouted again, causing more laugher from Link.

"Stop doing that!"

"Doing what?" He held the sides of the boat and shook the canoe while making sure Zelda was safely situated in her seat. Though he was teasing her, he still wanted to ensure she was without risk.

Against all her years of being taught lady-like educate, she squealed and continued to scold Link while holding desperately to the sides of the wooden boat as if they were the last thing keeping her from falling into the water—which they very likely could have been. "Link, you're completely mad!"

"Yes," he said through a chuckle, "I've already discovered that." Finally, he stopped his teasing and allowed the boat to settle back and stabilize, the ripples in the water fading into the glassy surface again. Zelda spun around as carefully as she could and fired a deadly glare at Link. To her dismay, he only threw his head back and laughed.

"Very well," she muttered, and reached back to shove him roughly from the boat and into the clear water. His laughing was cut off short, and she smiled triumphantly, crossing her arms. With a gasp, he erupted from the water and stared at her through wet hair strung around his face, allowing a chance for her to laugh at his shocked face. "If you're going to play that way…" he reached up and grasped her by the forearm and yanked her into the cool water with him, laughing at her startled shout as the boat tipped. She too broke the surface of the water, glaring at him with her dark violet-blue gaze. His snort was interrupted by a splash of water to the face and a teasing giggle from his princess.

The two remained in the middle of the clear pond, laughing and throwing water at each other in attempt to win an unspoken competition. No longer were they the Princess of Hyrule and her hero, but two souls who cared deeply for one another, the pressure of their roles and responsibilities washed away with the crisp water and ringing laughter.

"Your expression was quite hilarious," Link was still laughing as they were leaned out on the dock in the setting sun, clothing still damp from the pond. "I never realized boats made you so nervous."

Zelda shot him an unconvincing glower, but soon grinned along with him. "Wouldn't you be too if your first time on the water was with a crazy fool?"

"'Crazy fool', huh?" He was sprawled on his back with his head rested in his crossed arms, staring at the lazy clouds hanging in the sky. "Well, I can't argue with that description." Another chuckle followed from his mouth. Zelda just smiled and stared into the pond while sitting cross-legged on the wood.

The Hero sat up suddenly, turning to see her directly in her serene face. The relaxed look of peace was so natural for her face, he mused. It was such a shame she had cover it up so often while being the rule of Hyrule. The blue of her eyes met his, and she stared questioningly, her heart picking up a few beats from his thoughtful stare.

"Zelda, I really enjoyed today. Thank you so much for coming with me," he told her sincerely, and flaunted another half-smile.

"Of course, Link. I had a wonderful time as well." She truly meant it; even the thought of returning to the cold castle and leaving this perfect day behind made her heart sink. Link's gaze dropped briefly to her lips, and her heart paced even quicker. Without thinking or even acknowledging their actions, they both leaned slowly forward, entranced in some hidden force they could decipher. He was only inches away, their noses nearly touching, when a sudden expression came to Zelda's face as she looked into the shining sapphire eyes he possessed. It was the flash of regret and guilt that he had witnessed the night he escorted her from the Arbiter's Grounds, only much bolder and more prominent this time. She jerked back, face fully encompassed in the expression as she faced away shamefully from Link.

He sat dumbfounded at first, then a flushed wave of red creeped over his face and he looked away too. His heart and courage dropped, leaving him with an unforgiving feeling of embarrassment and stupidity. What was he doing, flirting with the Princess of Hyrule? Perhaps he had been reading her wrong and thought she felt mutually for him as he did her. But clearly, that wasn't the case, and his heart felt frozen and as if it had stopped beating all together. All he wanted to do now was act cowardly and flee the uncomfortable situation, but his sense of duty to protect the Princess and ensure she safely made it home held him still.

"I'm so sorry Link."

Zelda's voice was raw and quivering, almost so quiet he didn't hear it.

An uncomfortable silence stretched between them. "Zelda, what are you-"

At long last, she turned her head to meet his confused gaze, and to his surprise her eyes were shining with unshed tears. "I am writhing in guilt," she whispered. "It feels…cruel of me to accept your kindness and…and…" She stopped, lost for the first time in a long while for words. "Every time I see your eyes," she unconsciously reached out and almost pressed her hand on his cheek, but stopped herself short and yanked her hand back, looking away again. "I don't deserve you Link."

Words left him for a moment, and he simply stared unknowingly at the side of her face. "Whatever are you talking about, Zelda?" He asked gently.

Several rebellious tears glided down her cheeks now, and she didn't care to wipe them away and only closed her shining eyes tight. "I almost killed you, Link."

Confusion settled on him even more now. "What?" He asked again.

"I almost killed you!" She nearly shouted, choking on a sob. "Ganondorf—that wretched demon," she spat with surprising malice. "He possessed me…used me as a puppet. Used me to attack you." Her voice fell to a broken whisper again. "I saw the whole thing. It was like I was seeing through my eyes, but my limbs were not my own. They were acting against me, attacking you," she sobbed. "Your eyes…they were wide in disbelieve and fear. The sight nearly destroyed me. And yet…" She was silent for a moment. "There was nothing I could do about it. My magic was misused, my sword pointed not at the enemy who caused it all, but the hero who came to save my kingdom. Each time I see stare into your eyes…I am reminded of my terrible actions and the fact that…that I nearly took your life. I can never forgive myself."

Silence settled over the pair once again, only the faint rush of waterfalls disturbing the still air. Link breathed out, heart shattered to see her so upset over something he hadn't thought twice about since a year ago when the Twilight invasion was finally ended.

"Zelda…" he said soothingly and took her chin in his fingers with a gentleness that made her heart throb. "Don't beat yourself over such a thing." He stared intently into her red-rimmed eyes. "It wasn't you. It was all Ganondorf. You didn't perform a single wrong doing against me. Cry no more, my dear Princess; I forgave you long ago in that very throne room." He brushed her tears softly with her thumb, and an electric shiver sparked through her spine.

"Link-"

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, cutting her short. The electricity was burning on her lips, and Zelda felt as if she was aflame. Her self-hatred and sadness was quickly forgotten, and she relaxed into him as her tears continued to fall—not from her sorrow anymore, but from her care of him and his gentle but firm kisses. Neither of them could deny it any longer: they were completely and hopelessly in love with each other, the Princess and her Hero, as they kissed while sitting in the beauty of their beloved land.

A/N: Aaaaaand the end! I hope that everyone liked it. Since this was my first fanfiction I wanted to keep it short and sweet, so that's why this story isn't as lengthy as I plan on making my other ones. But either way, I worked hard on this fanfiction and I really hope that everyone enjoyed it. Please be sure to leave a review and tell me what you think, and thank you so much for all the reviews and follows/favorites already! Until next time.

-Ximnah