Two weeks had gone by and Zelda could already tell the difference in Link. For one thing, he was much stronger than when they had first met, and another thing, he was actually enjoying himself when he returned from training. Despite Link having his own chambers, he hardly ever left Zelda's… Not since her third nightmare.

This time she had been locked in a cage of sorts, the room filling with black smoke as the fire blazed on all around her. She slowly lost her breath. At the last second before her lungs gave out, she saw a man with red hair stand before the cage. He fell to his knees.

She had fallen asleep in Link's arms that night, her screams waking him. He almost never left now. Zelda had asked Link if he had had any more of the dreams, but he never answered. She knew he was also having the dreams but didn't want to burden her.

The worst part, however, was that the same three nightmares constantly repeated, progressing a little further within the dream each time. Zelda knew they were all linked together but she didn't know how. She had to know what Link was dreaming… She knew his dreams were important in figuring out the big picture, but he would not tell her.

She heard her chamber doors open and looked up to see Link walk straight to her with a smile on his face. He greeted her with a kiss and she breathed in the scent of him.

"Hey," he said still smiling.

"How was training?" Zelda asked. Link evaded her question by stuffing his face with food. Zelda rolled her eyes, "Link, you know the test is coming up… It's only two weeks away! Do you take this seriously or not?" She asked him, getting flabbergasted. Link took his time, eventually swallowing.

"Of course I am serious about this, Zelda," Link replied calmly.

"If you fail, you are going back to earth. I would never see you again," Zelda said her voice breaking. Link moved to Zelda and placed his hands on her shoulders which were bare today, the sky-blue gown's collar starting at the clavicle.

"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "I would never let that happen… I would never leave you like that because of my slacking. However, I have not been slacking."

"Then tell me, how was training?" Zelda tried again, unshed tears in her eyes.

"It went well. Impa thinks I will be able to pass Kaeru's test without a problem," Link said. Zelda threw her arms around him and held him in a hug. She would never let Link be taken from her whether he passed her father's stupid test or not.

"I need a favour from you, Link." Zelda slowly said.

"Anything," he said, looking deep into Zelda's eyes.

"I need you to tell me of your nightmares."

"I don't have them anymore."

"Don't lie to me, Link. You fall asleep beside me almost every night. You have woken me up from them too, you know," Zelda said hesitantly.

"I cannot tell you…" Link said, bringing the conversation to a close as he stood and retrieved the Master Sword from the table. "I am going out."

"Out where? You're not allowed to leave the palace," Zelda said. Link winked at her before running to the door and closing it behind him. "Link?!" Zelda called as she stood from her chair. "Link?" Zelda called again as she quickly threw on her brown boots and grabbed her sword, following Link out the door, leaving it ajar behind her.

She saw him turn down the servant's stairwell and quickly followed. He was fast, surprising Zelda. Perhaps his training really was paying off. She smiled slightly and continued her pursuit, her dress getting all tangled and bunched between her legs.

About halfway down the stairwell, Link quickly went through a doorway; one well-hidden and unnoticed to anyone other than Zelda. After all, she had grown up in the palace. She also knew exactly where it led.

"Link, slow down! I know where you're taking me!" Zelda called. She saw hesitation in Link's next step, but he continued running.

Of course Zelda knew where he was taking her. She grew up in the palace after all! But, when Link had discovered the location, he knew he had to spend a night there with her.

He continued running, knowing she would follow. He could feel his lungs protesting, but he continued to push himself. He would not get stronger if he were to stop; it would just tire him even more.

He ran down the small corridor. He was almost there… And through that small door…

Link burst through the door and out into the fresh air. It had probably been an old escape tunnel that was easily accessed for palace staff. Link smiled to himself. He watched as Zelda burst through the door. Surprise crossed her face.

"It's beautiful," she said breathless.

"I thought you'd like it," Link said as he looked around. He had no idea what it would have looked like before, but now it was flourishing foliage of all sorts. There were beautiful flowers of every colour imaginable dotting every surface. The grass was a vibrant green as well as the leaves hanging from the branches of the trees. Link watched as her smile grew. He fetched from behind a rock a dinner he had packed for the two of them and laid down a blanket while she was still distracted.

"I had no idea…" Zelda mumbled to herself. Link couldn't help but smile.

"The sun will be setting soon," Link said, bringing Zelda's attention to him. She looked at him and smiled even more as she noticed the dinner spread out.

"You are incredible, Link," she said as she sat next to Link on the blanket and kissed him. He brought his hands up to her hair, twirling it within his fingers as they kissed. Oh, the Goddess, Link wanted her! But he could wait for her, whenever she was ready for him. She continued to kiss Link and he trailed his fingers over the exposed skin of her shoulders, fingering the collar of her dress.

"Does your father know you are wearing such a revealing dress?" Link teased as their lips broke apart for a brief moment.

"He would flay you just for looking," Zelda responded.

"What would he do to me if he knew this was going on?" Link asked as he stole another kiss, pulling her on top of him as he lay back on the blanket.

"Something tells me it would start with a lot of yelling," she said.

"Then we can't have that… He'd spoil all our fun."

"Agreed," Zelda said. Link didn't want Zelda sneaking behind her father's back, but… She seemed okay with doing so, and Link wasn't going to object to that. He loved her. He kissed her, turning the two of them over so he was now on top of her. He got shivers as she ran her fingers through his hair, making Link ache for her.

"Am I interrupting?" A sly voice said from behind them. Startled, Link quickly got off of Zelda, but stayed in front of her in a protective stance.

"Who are you?" Zelda asked.

Zelda was positive no had been following them, she wouldn't have risked it; risked them being seen together like this… Oh, what was she doing? She should just tell her father that Link was her choice.

But before her stood the oddest looking man, with greyish skin, white hair that was pin-straight and side-swept, as well as a white body suit that had several diamond cut-outs. He wore a yellow belt with a large ruby diamond embellishment. His gloves were also white and he wore purple liner beneath his eyes.

"I am the Demon Lord who presides over the land you Hylians have all but forgotten. You may call me Ghirahim. In truth, I very much prefer to be indulged with my full title: Lord Ghirahim. But I'm not fussy," Ghirahim said with a smile, slowly licking his lips.