Starlighter: OK OK OK so I'm going to make this brief, enjoy the story, plz do, any questions of anything that you think is odd, out of the story line, blah blah blah review to me about it! K? K! ENJOY??

Sesshy: Wait, that's it? No long pointless-

Starlighter: No! No sssshhh, before I lose my concentration! Ok, NOW enjoy!!!

GETTING THERE…

"Come on, Thane hurry! They're leaving us behind!" The horse began to gallop faster, in response to the rider's raspy whispers, on towards the retreating soldiers. Link noticing the lone rider trying to catch up with the rest turned towards Fiory and whistled for his attention. The rider looked up at were the two leaders were ahead and began to rider harder. Fiory noticing the rider as well understood the call and turned his horse toward the rider. The rider, finally in line with the rest, was now riding side by side with Fiory. "Soldier, were you dispatched to the southern border of Noreyes?" A bit nervous, the rider gave a curt nod and continued riding. Not worried about falling a little bit behind Fiory rode in front of the rider forcing the rider's horse to stop and kick up its heels. "Soldier! You will respond clearly and loudly to your commanding officer's question! I will ask you again, were you-"He was cut off by the sound of horses stopping and the murmur of soldiers. He turned to face the group ahead and they had indeed stopped, with one last glance towards the disobedient soldier he kicked the sides of his horse and rode towards Link.

The Soldier followed suit but remained in the back of the group not wanting to pull attention again. Fiory stopped and dismounted his horse at the front of the group. He walked towards were Link was kneeling on the side of the road seemingly investigating some oddity. "What is it my liege?" Link looked up at Fiory and pointed to the well printed hoof prints on the ground. "Someone has passed by here not too long ago, in the direction of the Castle. I'd say about around the same time we left the castle, meaning the rider will have reached the castle by now." Fiory frowned and furrowed his eyebrows bending to get a better look at the prints. "Should we not have run into him then? We should have crossed paths on the second day; it took us three days to reach here!" Link shook his head as he stood and walked towards Epona. He stopped in front of the saddle and removed a long rolled piece of paper. He opened it and studied it in deep thought. "There is more than one road to the castle, just one more from the southern border, a more secret route. My guess is one nobles take upon delivering valuable trinkets to the castle, but, in times like these why-unless it was someone who knew of this path but meant no better than harm! Quick! Send a messenger to investigate, if this rider meant harm and has caused havoc, tell him to return and inform we will wait for him by Norlin Bridge before we cross it and make it to the southern border. And Fiory, we will only wait for him for three days at that bridge, three days, make sure he knows that."

Fiory nodded and pulled out a scrawny looking soldier from the crowd. Not long after Fiory returned to were Link was and watched the soldier ride towards the castle. "It is done my liege." Link nodded in thanks and signaled to move on.

THAT NIGHT

"My liege, why do we not ride at night? Would it not be more of an advantage?" Link kept his attention on tying Epona to a tree and chuckled bitterly. "You call yourself a general? Hyrule's army is very stealth, very advantageous of the their surroundings and of night and day. If they have made the southern border their headquarters than they have at least taken advantage of the field meaning that there are shooters positioned to shoot anyone crossing who is not their own at night. An ambush Fiory, I would rather ride in the light of day were we can at least be guided by the shadows moving through the sunlight." Flustered Fiory nodded curtly and walked away. He almost made it to his tent when he noticed the soldier from earlier setting up his tent. Confused as to why he had not yet removed his helmet Fiory decided to investigate.

"Soldier!" The soldier stood straight and faced Fiory. "Remove your helmet. It is night and we rest, you've no need for it." The soldier nervously shook his head but held his ground. "You defy and order?" Fiory called a bit sarcastically. The soldier pointed to wait and went in his tent emerging a few seconds later with a piece of scroll attached to a fitted piece of wood. He began to write on the paper and then handed it to Fiory.

Forgive my disobedience Sir, I know that you are my commanding officer but I am mute. I do not remove my helmet for I am horribly disfigured with battle scars. I do not wish to frighten the men sir.

Fiory looked up still a bit suspicious and handed the soldier back his pad. "What rank are you in?" The soldier again wrote and handed the pad back to Fiory.

Second rank sir.

Fiory sighed and opened the tent gesturing to step in. The soldier did so and Fiory followed. Now sitting Fiory bent in towards the soldiers face and whispered harshly, "A second rank soldier is barely above a first rank soldier. Typically chosen for errands or messenger duty. No second rank soldier ever known has been through battles to be horribly scarred for he would not be chosen to be in the field nor kidnapped for questioning by torture. A second rank soldier is also typically pulled from peasant life and therefore unable to write let alone write with this level of education! Now I will ask you again, were you dispatched with the group to the southern border of Noreyes or not!?"

The soldier pulled back, hesitated a bit but raised his hands towards his helmet pulling it off slowly…

WITH LINK

"Sir two of our men have gone out to retrieve more wood for the fire is there anything else?" Link, seemingly in his own world responded slowly and as in a trance, "No Gibert, you're fine. Thanks." The soldier bowed and walked off to meet his comrades. Link continued to be in his own world looking about at the men and their tents behind them. He noticed one tent lit and two soldiers conversing rather closely one still with a helmet on. He thought this strange and then struck it as possible plot. He approached a soldier near by and pointed to the lit tent, "Who is in there soldier?" The soldier looked at the tent and answered casually. "General Fiory had approached that odd soldier and both went in the tent." Link frowned and hesitated but asked none the less, "What odd soldier?" The soldier in front of him smiled and bent in to keep what he was about to say between the two, "The one who took a while to catch up to us earlier, the one who keeps to himself most of the time and never removes his helmet. He doesn't speak at all, some say he's mute but no one seems to know him." Link pulled back and gestured to be left alone. He walked to his tent and went in side lighting his oil lantern and removing his weapons.

He took out a scroll, opened it and began to write to Malon.

Dear Malon,

I wonder how you are, I fear for your state of being with my father so close to you. I worry that he may harm you or intent to harm you. I would not bear it if we were parted once again. We approach the forest leading to the southern border. We are eight days away from reaching Norlin Bridge, and then five days away from the southern border. I will do my best to end this war, for us, and our happiness.

I love you

Link

He rolled the scroll and put it away. He blew out the fire and laid back closing his eyes.

Swords clashed, their metal scraping against other sword and shields. The whizzing of arrows could be heard miles away. Horses neighed and hoofs trampled the dead and broken arrows that had missed their target. Link struggled to get the Hylian off his shield to direct the back of his sword's hilt to the back of the soldiers head so as to not kill him but another hylian soldier was approaching, sword laid out by his side ready to strike at Link's unprotected side. Another horse was heard nearby; Link shut his eyes ready to feel the pain. In the darkness two swords clashed, a shield pushed off the opponents' sword and a sword had slashed the Hylian's neck open. Link opened his eyes only to see a dash of red and the back of the odd soldier from earlier. He had saved his life…as he was about thank him an axe whizzed by Link's ear and struck the back of the odd soldier, no sound, the helmet flew off and

WITH FIORY AND THE SOLDIER

"MY GODDESSES! What are you-how did you-"The soldier gestured for silence and bent near Fiory. "No one must know that it is me, treat me just like the others. Knowing who I am should not jeopardize your treatment of me." Fiory still in shock tried to speak once more. "Yes, but you're-"The soldier put fingers to Fiory's lips in silence and sighed. "Utter my name once; it will take away the hard work that I put into being here let alone staying here. He wouldn't want me here. If he knew I was here he'd send me home immediately, I cannot let him do that." Fingers down, Fiory now calm he dared again. "Why are you here?" The soldier looked up, "I cannot simply sit by and let this happen. I have to do something, sitting up there, waiting to hear news of the inevitable. No, let alone being close to your King…not my pastime." Fiory nodded and looked the soldier in the eye, "You must be careful, I can only watch your back so mu-" "I do not need your protection. I can fend for myself. I've been taught well…trust me." Fiory nodded believing those words. "I must leave you know, should suspicions arise of any kind. There could be spies even among us, no place is safe. Trust no one except those close to you…" looking down he gave a small smile, "Meaning you know who and I." The soldier nodded and with that Fiory left.

Fiory was walking by Link's tent when he heard the Hero thrashing about. He entered the tent without warning and a blade almost made contact with his face. Link's eyes were wild and scared; he could barely make out Fiory's figure. "Prince, it's me Fiory, what ails you?" Link, pale, sweaty, and hyperventilating shook his head and set the blade down. "Just a dream….just a…dream. Tell me, you've talked with him, who is the soldier you were just with?" Fiory swallowed and looked down, not wanting to look him in the eye when he lied. "His name is Ralif, his from Noreyes, second rank soldier, a mute sir." Link's eyebrows furrowed as he wiped sweat off his forehead. "I see, that will be all Fiory." Fiory nodded and left without another word. He hated lying about something he knew in his gut he should speak before it was too late. But he had promised…he had promised…

AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER WITH THE KING OF HYRULE

His eyes red and trance like followed the borders of the horizon were the stars faded into the high trees of the forest. He had done his job well, according to the King, but he failed to feel that what he was doing was for the greater good, he knew that King only did this for greedy purposes but his premonition had told him otherwise. Kind Christopher would rule Hyrule, Osirian, and Noreyes, the people cheered but then black skies took over and out of the dark light stepped out Ganondorf, the part that was unclear was whether it was the King of someone else that destroyed him. Quintus was beginning to think that his premonition was a mixture of the past, another realm, and that which could happen. The King of Hyrule had told him that the one that defeated Ganondorf was Link, The Hero of Time. The bright light that triumphed over Ganondorf's power was then Link, yet the King ruling all three Kingdoms could be that which "could" occur, but then the people cheering was in a different realm, or so it seemed to him when he remembered his premonition. He had let himself be manipulated by the King…again…now he stood beside the King of Hyrule, following Christopher's plan. But he had foreseen that Link would prevail and stop this, and so he aided this war no further, he would let things take their course. He had become fond of Link, like a son, and so he would aid Link when necessary although not letting his façade fall. He only hoped that his death, would be short and painless when Link would come to kill him, he would not put up a fight…he would not.

"Quintus! Quintus!" He lifted his head to the King's call and went to him. The King sat in front of a large fire and was drinking from a golden chalice. "Yes my lord?" The King looked up at him, his eyes void of light, that was his spell, it made the King dependent on his every word, and surrender to his orders. "Quintus, I have received word that soldiers ride out towards us! Link is in the lead, what now Quintus?" Quintus sighed and sat in front of the King, his neck jewel began to glow as he took over the King's mind. "You will let them pass, reach the bridge, and once past the bridge attack, leave non alive. Those who live let them pass and meet with you. We will see what happens then." The King nodded and let his chalice drop near by as he stood and went inside his tent. Quintus looked after him and picked up the chalice and looked at his reflection on the golden surface. "All of this for a life of riches and equal treatment…humanity…so greedy eh?"

EIGHT DAYS LATER AND THE NORLIN BRIDGE

They sat around a fire prepared by Fiory and Link, that soldiers drank to their heart's content, here they would rest for three days while the messenger returned with news of Noreyes castle. Link talked with Fiory about strategies, the soldiers of their wives and children or their loved ones waiting for their return. But the lone soldier sat alone, with a cup of water, reading a scroll. He now wore a small hat that fit the shape of his head, normally worn underneath the helmet and a cloth that covered his face up to his eyes. Looking very much like a foreign warrior, he was now comfortable not having to wear the helmet to conceal his identity. At times he eyed the soldiers yet they always returned to Link and Fiory. Namely Link…"What are you planning exactly? An audience with the King? We'd have to raise a white flag of surrender and enter their now territory in neutrality to get an audience with the King, well that is if we all make it to the King…I…may not even…" Fiory approached the soldier and sat by him giving him a piece of bread. "You know what I just remembered? Impersonating a soldier, being who you are, you could get in serious trouble." He received a glare. "I know what your intentions are, you're here to protect him, but you can't protect the Hero of Time, he's the protector. If anything, should you fall, he'll be the one to save you not the other way around." Again another glare. "All right, I'll leave you alone. Just stop staring at him, the men think it's creepy. It contradicts your manliness, don't let that fall. Respect is rule number one among an army, no respect equals ill treatment. Don't loose it by staring at your leader."

With that he walked off and left Ralif to his own thoughts.

Link returned to his tent and took out his scroll full of writings dated and signed ready to be sent for Malon when the messenger returned. He took out his feather and dipped it slowly in the ink,

Malon,

My love, we are now at Norlin Bridge. Five days closer to the King of Hyrule. I only pray to the Goddesses that we get through. This will be the last letter written in this scroll, the day after tomorrow it will be taken to you for you to read. I must tell you though that one of the soldiers, the odd one I mentioned, keeps staring at me. A plot against me perhaps? Yet I see no malice…if anything…love? Stupid, I know, but creepy. All the men agree as well. Perhaps you know of a Ralif? That is his name, the odd soldier, what is more silly is that his eyes remind me so much of…no forget that thought. Enough of that soldier, I miss you dearly and only wish to return to your arms. My incentive, to see you once again, your smile, your eyes under the light of the moon. To hear your sweat voice sing to me. I must go now, but know that I love you more than words can express, and so I leave you.

For you

Link

WITH THE RALIF

"Disgusting! I smell like…I don't even know but it is disgusting. Thank the goddesses for this pond." Ralif looked around to make sure there was no one around and removed his soldier uniform. The mask also came off as the soldier breathed fresh air for the first time in a long time. Ralif dipped into the water, head under water, eyes looking around for any signs of some one coming, ears sharp. Then it snapped, a twig not too far. Ralif swam as quickly as legs can swim to the shore and reached for the mask. Placing it with haste he looked around, body still submerged. He reached for the blade underneath his boot and held it ready. "You're sharp." Came the voice of non other than Link. He came out from behind a tree and sat at the shore near Ralif. Link formed a small smile and then stopped removing his boot staring straight into Ralif's eyes. "Do you mind? I know we're tough men but I still can't get over being watched as I undress." Ralif shook his head vigorously and turned around swimming away slowly as to not show much of his body as well.

A splash and then a sigh was heard behind him. He turned slightly and there was Link with half his body underwater and the other half water cascading down his well formed muscles as he pulled his wet hair back, eyes closed, completely relaxed. Ralif quickly turned away thanking the goddesses once more for his mask. Link upon hearing the ruckus Ralif made turning away swam closer to converse and maybe find out why he stared at him so much. Hearing him approach Ralif swam to the murky side of the pond which blocked all visibility of his body as well as Link's should he need to face him.

"You know…I don't mean to be rude or too up front…Ralif is it?" Ralif nodded. "Why is it that you stare at me so much?" Ralif froze unable to speak, now facing Link he looked around nervously. Then Link suddenly hit his forehead with his hand and sighed. "I am so sorry, I had forgotten that Fiory told me you were a mute." Thanking Fiory this time in his head he nodded slowly. Still not letting this opportunity pass Link suddenly reached for Ralif's mask. By instinct Ralif pulled away slapping Link's hand away and shaking his head vigorously. Link backed away a bit and noticed Ralif's hand. "You have really small hands…very…who are you?" Panic reaching Ralif he was about to dive when Link to hold of his neck and with one quick swipe revealed Ralif's face.

"Malon?!" Closing her eyes and sighing she nodded, ashamed. "Wha-When-how di- never mind that what are you doing here???" She looked up at him and was about to speak when Link turned his back to her. "You can speak to me, I just, your not a man, and your…not clothed I can't look at you." Malon smiled inwardly and tried not to blush at his comment. She swam closer and with her fingertips turned his face to meet hers. Now facing each other, Link furiously blushing, and avoiding all else but eye contact was ready to hear her out. "I came here because I was afraid…afraid that you may perish and I would not be there to save you…or at least see you one last time. I had to come, my instinct led me to, and it motivated me to. I felt the need to protect you." She traced the shape of his face with her delicate finger tips and caressed his cheek. He closed his eyes and surrendered to her touch taking her hand in his and kissing it softly. "Right reasons wrong choice Mal, didn't you think about yourself? That maybe you could die and not me? That I may not be able to save you? I cannot lose you…I can't." Malon smiled and came closer, putting her hand on the back of his neck she neared his face to hers. Eye to eye she smiled again, "You could never lose me, you are mine and I am yours. I'll save you and you'll save me-" "But what if-" "Shhhh." She put her fingers to his lips and pulled them away as he gave in. "No what if's…I came here to change my dream, you see one of the other reasons' I came was because…Ever since the day our wedding was interrupted I kept having nightmares. Nightmares of a battle and your death, and so…when I hear you were leaving I rode out in secret in soldier's uniform and as soon as I knew it I was riding towards you. I love you Link and being beside you, right at your side, is where I belong. In a battle or not. Besides, I've been taught well and can fend for myself."

Link smiled and kissed her forehead, looking down at her again he took a deep breath, "Fine, but every evening we will go somewhere private and I will fight you. Just to be on the safe side, honing both your skills and mine. Just promise that when you've had enough you'll tell me." Malon smiled mischievously at him and splashed him, "Don't you mean when you've had enough you'll tell me." Link smiled and swam closer to her again. They were now nose to nose, each could feel the others breath. Her arms found their way around his neck as his around her waist. "Which ever way…" he whispered before locking his lips with hers in a fierce kiss. His hands traced the small of her back, feeling the curves of her waist. Her hands tangled in his hair and tickled his shoulders every once in a while. When they parted for air Malon blushed and pulled away. "I think we should save the next step for the wedding night…don't you?" Link blushed now and nodded. They emerged from the pond and the fire was almost out, the men asleep. Link smiled and winked at Ralif and went to his tent.

The stars glinted bright and moon was high in the sky. Malon couldn't sleep, the nightmare haunting her subconscious. She sneaked out of her tent and made sure no one saw her, covering her track as she went along until she reached Link's tent. She went inside only to find him awake and looking straight at her as she went in. "I thought you were asleep Link." She smiled and he only opened the blanket to were she could crawl in. "Even when we were back at the ranch you would do this…in well the now realm…whatever…things are weird with this realm and the other…" Malon chuckled at his confusion. "I was waiting for you that's why I wasn't asleep." She looked up at him and kissed him amorously. "I love you Link, I really really do." He kissed her back and held her tight to his body, "I love you too Mal, more than you will ever know." Sighing in relief and relaxed her mind reached peaceful dreams as well as he.

Starlighter: OK, I know its not what you expected but I had to mix in fluff somewhere, I mean I was re reading my story and I realized….hey where's the fluff the love? The romance?? Not much of it there…at least not really. So love and war…hehe literally. Ok so be on the look out for the next up date TOODLES! And don't forget-

Sesshy: review review review yeah yeah yeah they know the drill….you are so lame…

Starlighter: Mean head…REVIEW!!!! woo hooo four times, how do you like them apples!! hahahahahahahaha