Upon arriving at Hyrule Castle, Zelda was carried to the infirmary for healing. She was kept in it for two days and had to wear a sling to ensure she wouldn't use her right arm. A week after she was released, she was called before her father.

"You sent for me, father?" Zelda asked him, standing before his throne.

"Yes, my child. Now that you are well, you have to accept your punishment."

"What punishment?" Zelda asked.

"Come stand next to me," he said, ignoring her question. Reluctantly, she walked to her father's side. He called to the guards, "Bring in the first prisoner!" He commanded.

"Prisoner?!" Zelda asked as her eyes widened in shock. The large doors opened and Rusl was dragged into the throne room and thrown before King Kaeru.

"My King," Rusl said in a bow. He straightened and looked Kaeru in the eye.

"Rusl of Ordona Province," Zelda's father began with a pause. "You have been charged with kidnapping the Princess," he finished. Zelda rolled her eyes. She had not been kidnapped! "Do you deny this treachery?"

"I do," Rusl said without hesitation. The King examined Rusl for a few moments.

"Since you are part of the Resistance and you fight for Hyrule, I am willing to have you escorted to your village at once, not to return unless you have specific business and a letter from your Mayor." Kaeru decided.

"Thank you, my King." Rusl said with a bow before the guards escorted him out of the throne room. Zelda let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.

"Bring in the second prisoner!" Her father bellowed. Once again, the doors were opened and this time Link was brought forward, his wrists and ankles bearing chains; the flesh beneath the iron was red. The guards pulled on them, sending Link sprawling to the floor. Zelda let out a shocked gasp.

"Father, what is the point of this?" She asked him angered.

"Keep quiet," he said audible only for her. Link stood up and looked around the ginormous hall helplessly.

"Father…" Zelda said quietly.

"Earthling," her father began.

"He has a name!" Zelda said defensively.

"You have come into my land, put my daughter into danger and expect no punishment!" The King bellowed at Link. Link simply glared at her father. Zelda moved in front of her father and looked him in the eyes.

"Father, don't you see? I am the one who snuck out of the Castle. I got myself hurt… Everything that has happened to me was my own doing! Let Link go!"

"I cannot Zelda."

"But why?" She pleaded.

"If I let one criminal pass without judgement, soon they will think themselves to be invincible!"

"Father, Link is not a criminal!" Zelda said, her voice becoming louder.

"Do not raise your voice at me!" He said, now yelling at her.

"Let Link go! You are being ridiculous!"

"Do not speak to your King like that!" He said, raising from his throne and towering over Zelda. He directed Zelda to her throne then took his seat again. He looked Link in the eye. "My daughter has requested that I let you go. And I will do exactly that."

"Oh father –" Zelda began excitedly.

"– You will be brought back to the Portal and sent back to earth. You will leave tomorrow at first light."

"What?" Zelda gasped, turning her head towards her father.

"Guards," Kaeru finished before rising from his throne and leaving the hall. The guards pulled on Link's chains and he looked at Zelda, before turning around and following the guards. The large doors closed behind them.

Zelda stood up and began pacing. She had to do something. But she was guarded day and night now, in her rooms or not! Impa was prohibited to see her unless there were guards around, so even she, with her magic, could not help Zelda. Link could not go back to earth! After everything she – and Rusl – went through to get him here, she would not let him go.

She started for the doors, running to them to put some distance between her guards. She was already through the doors as they started towards her and she closed them with a bang. She turned down the large hall and followed the guards who were pulling Link down to the dungeons.

As she neared the dungeon, she waited until the Key Keeper was leading the guards to his cell before following. If she was seen down here she would be locked in her room for days. She stuck to the shadows and hid behind the outcroppings of stone. The guards continued following the Key Keeper further and further into the dungeon. Why was he being locked up so deep into the dungeons?

Zelda knew the answer even as she thought the question. If the other prisoners spoke to Link and found out he was of the earth… That would lead to bad, bad things. She shook the thought from her mind.

They entered another area of the dungeon where the doors went from heavy wood to the old metal bars. She hid behind an outcropping of stone and watched as the long chains were removed from the cuffs around his wrists and ankles, and then Link was shoved into the cell. She heard his body make contact with the ground. She hid herself as the guards and Key Keeper began walking back. They started laughing at something as they left the room.

Making sure they were gone, Zelda scurried over to Link's cell. She looked down at his frail figure lying on the cold, hard ground and her heart began to ache for him. He did not deserve to be treated like this!

"Link?" Zelda said as softly as she could. Link's body jumped from fright and he scrambled up.

"Zelda?" He said, his eyes instantly becoming brighter. She reached for his hands through the metal bars with her left hand.

"I am so sorry, Link. I had no idea that my father would do this to you!" She said, tears shining in her blue eyes.

"It's okay –" Link tried.

"No it's not! It is unacceptable. But do not worry, I am going to get you out!"

"How?"

"I have had a week to observe the habits of my guards. Although they do their best, they are lazy. An hour before the second rotation outside my rooms, they always manage to fall asleep. I can sneak you out then," she said, gripping his hands in hers.

"Where will we go?" Link asked. Zelda's face fell.

"I – I didn't think of that," she said quietly, dropping his hands. He reached for hers.

"Take me to your father."

"What?!" She exclaimed.

"And show him the Triforce. Prove to him who I am and that he cannot let me go!" Link said, his blue eyes shining. Zelda couldn't find it within herself to say no.

"Alright," she said with a nod. Link smiled and Zelda noticed that he was truly handsome. His fair brown hair, though it needed a cut and a wash, fell around his fine face in the way that a prince's would. He had magnificent blue eyes that shone with his excitement. She smiled at him. Link smiled back and brought her hand up to his lips and gently kissed the back of her hand. Zelda's breath caught in her throat.

"My Princess," Link said softly, looking into her eyes. Zelda felt as though she was being put under a spell. She could not look away from his eyes. She found herself to be inching closer to the bars; to him. She noticed Link bringing his face closer as well, his eyes stealing glances at her lips. Her cheek met with the cold metal bar which brought her back to the present. She backed up and straightened herself.

"I will see you tonight," she said as a farewell.

"Yes," Link said with a sigh as he retreated to the darkness of his cell, cast in shadow from the torchlight.