Zelda let out a sigh of relief. Link would be safe with Impa; she no longer had to worry about his well-being. That thought brought her back to the conversation she had with her father.

Zelda," he said surprised as she entered his chambers. He looked up from the book he was reading by his spot near the large fireplace.

"Hello, father," Zelda said with a curtsy. She noticed his eyes linger to the dark spot on her cheek.

"I heard about the incident in the dungeons," Kaeru said, redirecting his gaze to hers.

"It wasn't an incident, it was fully intentional."

"All the best ones are," her father said.

"I've come to ask something of you," Zelda stated.

"Anything, my child," her father said sincerely.

"I ask that you provide Link with proper training: swordsmanship, archery, anything other kind of fighting he might need, and that you accommodate to his needs," Zelda proposed.

"Why would I do that?" Kaeru countered.

"Because I truly believe he is the Hero of Time," Zelda said, making her way to her father's side, her blue eyes shining with sincerity.

"What proof is there that he is the Hero of Time?"

"He was chosen by the Goddess," Zelda said as she held out her right hand and sparked enough of her magic to ignite the Triforce, "just as I was."

"Is that the only proof you have?"

"What else is there?! Only three beings may be chosen by the Goddess, father," Zelda began. Kaeru lifted his hand for her to be silent.

"I know how the tale goes. If you can't offer me any concrete evidence, our discussion is finished."

"The Blade of Evil's Bane chose him," Zelda said quietly. She watched her father's blue eyes widen.

"The Master Sword? You're certain?" He asked. Zelda nodded. "Show me," Kaeru said.

"Impa," Zelda called. The door to her father's chambers opened and Impa walked in presenting a long object in her hands. Kaeru rose from his chair.

"In all the lands of the Four Worlds..." He murmured in awe. "And you saw Link pull the blade from the pedestal?"

"Yes, father. As I said, he is the Hero of Time."

"Your requests are granted," he said to Zelda without taking his eyes from the blade. "Find him suitable chambers," he directed to Impa, "speaking of which, where did he sleep last night?" He asked. Zelda's face reddened and he gave her a stern look.

"It's all right, father, I didn't sleep last night."

"Then go and get some sleep now, my child. Tell Link he has one month to train and prove his skills. Hero of Time or not, we are at war and I have no use for someone who cannot fight. Just pray that in the meantime we are not attacked," Kaeru finished. Zelda leapt into her father's arms.

"Thank you!" She said ecstatically.

"Yes, now go get some rest."

Zelda smiled to herself. She couldn't believe her father finally believed her. A yawn overtook her as she began to feel weary. Not only had she been up for most of the night, she also hadn't eaten anything. She just made it to her bed as she collapsed from exhaustion. She slowly took off her boots, and then her dress, deciding to sleep in her undergarments. She was too tired to care.

Fire surrounded Zelda.

She was running through the castle as it slowly fell apart, brick by brick. Flames engulfed every surface but Zelda continued running, getting burns along her skin and her dress was being singed. She had no idea why she was running but she knew if she stopped, it would all be over.

Suddenly a thick cloud of black smoke stood before her. If she went inside it she knew she would suffocate, but she also couldn't go back the way she came for it was collapsing fast. She knew she had spent too long pondering what to do, but it was too late: the floor collapsed beneath her feet and she fell to her death.

Zelda bolted upright, screaming, her lungs burning. The door to her sleeping chambers burst open and Link rushed in, quickly making his way to her. He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her.

"It was only a dream," Link cooed, allowing Zelda to rest her head on his chest. Zelda shook her head.

"There was fire everywhere," Zelda said her eyes wide with fright.

"I dreamt of fire as well," Link admitted. Zelda turned and looked at him.

"These were more than dreams," Zelda said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"You are safe now, my princess, I am here," Link said as he tightened his arms around her. Zelda buried herself in his strong arms. "I won't let anything happen to you," Link promised.

"I want to believe you… I just can't shake this feeling though."

"You will, just as I did. Everything is okay," Link urged again, gently stroking her arms.

"Link, I want to thank you."

"For what?"

"You were thrown into the mess of Hyrule and simply went along with it all. You were in the dungeons for a week and yet you show no anger or resentment towards my father… Or me…"

"Why would I show resentment towards you?" Link asked as Zelda turned to look at him.

"Why wouldn't you? Everything bad that has happened to you was because I brought you here."

"Several bad things have happened to me on earth too, and I'm pretty sure you didn't cause those."

"I still can't help but feel this way," Zelda said in a shaky voice.

"Neither can I," Link said as he cupped her cheek and brought his lips to hers. Zelda was taken by surprise, but was over it in a moment as she engulfed herself in how right everything felt. All of her fear dissipated into the air. The entire time Link had been feeling the same towards her as she had been feeling towards him. A small smile found its way to her lips as they kissed. She wrapped her arms around Link and ran her fingers through his hair, which she noticed was surprisingly soft. He moved his arms around her waist, and she realized she was still in her undergarments. Reluctantly, she slowly pulled away.

"My princess…" Link softly whispered as their foreheads gently pressed together. Zelda could only smile. "You are beautiful," Link said as he moved his head and looked into her eyes. Zelda looked back at Link. He was smiling at her like no one ever had before which made her insides squirm – in a good way. His brown hair was tousled and his blue eyes were shining. He looked happy, which made Zelda happy.

"Thank you, Link," she said softly.

"For what?" Link asked with a grin.

"For understanding me," she said as she stole another kiss from his lips before getting off of her bed. She gathered her long, brown hair over her right shoulder and began playing with it as she smiled to herself.

Oh great… She was acting like a love-struck buffoon… But, maybe that's what she was, and Zelda was okay with that.