Chapter 6—Zelda's Choice...

"A drafted guard?" Zelda asked in shock.

"Yes, one of many, honestly. I would be among them had I not been out of Hyrule when the order was issued." Mark said. Link hugged Zelda. She looked something both angry and confused.

"Why would they be drafted? I thought there were enough volunteers."

"Not always, Zelda."

"But..."

"This is one of the reasons I wanted to take you away from there." Link said. "So that you could know your people better, know what they struggle with and live with everyday."
"Father hid so much from me... and we've not been gone that long, and I know so much more already..."

"He was not one to listen to the people honestly. Since the start of his reign, Hyrule has not improved, but possibly gone down hill."

"That's not true!" Zelda yelled. "He wouldn't... there must be some mistake."

"Zelda, I'm sorry, but this is the way it is," Mark said.

"No...It's not... it won't be, I won't let it..."

"Zelda, what are you saying?" Link looked into her eyes, terrified of what he saw.

"I'm going back,"

"Back?! What about me? What about us?"

"Link, think about it... can we be together and be truly happy when we know that we could have saved the people from so much?"

"I've saved the people enough," Link crossed his arms. "If it is what you want, then you may go back."

She saw the tears in his eyes.

"Link, don't look at me like that."

"Zelda... I love you. And because I love you... I will let you be happy."

"Link, did I ever say that going back would make me happy?"

"No, but..."

"Besides, you are coming back with me."

"What? After "kidnapping" you, you want me to go waltzing back in there!"

"Well, not waltzing... but walking," she said. Link slapped his forehead.

"Have a little more faith in me, Link, please."

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"My lord?" Impa walked into the throne room swiftly. "They are coming here."

The king looked up from where he had been hunched over papers. "Here? What do you mean?"

"I mean the princess is dragging a very unhappy Link through the palace halls as we speak. I presume she is headed here."

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Zelda led Link in by the hand. She heard her father yelling as they walked toward the throne room. She never realized how much power she had until she told the guards to back off... but then again, they were just guards... She gulped. As they neared the room, Zelda realized that Impa was on the receiving end of the scolding.

"Stop it, Father!" Zelda shouted as she entered.

"Zelda?" he stood from his throne. "What is he doing here?"

"Father, why did you hide so much from me—the work, the restrictions, the draftings?"

"What are you talking about, Zelda?" the confusion on his face was genuine and it pained her something fierce.

"About the people. The guards are drafted, the people are sometimes hungry. Some are not prepared for winter. Do you even realize how much work a typical day is? Why are they not better cared for? It is your job! You are king!"

"Link, what have you done to my child?"

"She knows the truth now,"

"Zelda..." Zelda turned at the sound of Impa's voice. "Why have you come back? You had finally gotten what you wanted." It seemed an honest question.

"Seeing my people reminded me that I have a responsibility to them. I am the only heir to the throne. It will soon be my job to uphold the laws and keep the people happy and safe. I could not hide away with Link and forget them... even as tempting as it was." she looked at Link.

"Zelda, you have worried me and tried my patience with your actions. You will take a bath, then rest, and we will discuss a punishment. As for you, Link, you will be lucky to escape here with your life for kidnapping her."

"Father, you cannot banish Link. Have you forgotten what he has done for you? For all of us?"

"That does not excuse his actions in taking you, Zelda,"

"Father, listen to yourself!"

"Impa, take her to her room."

Impa bowed and took Zelda gently by the arm. Zelda, as she was pulled away and her hand slipped from Link's, realized what her choice meant... She cried silent tears, inside and out. And as Link vanished around the corner, she realized there was no turning back...

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Zelda walked the garden paths slowly, trying not to step on the rich gown she wore; after wearing the short work gown that Fay had given her, her feet were tempted to stumble. She walked toward the guards' quarters without being ashamed for going where she was not supposed to be. As she entered the room and noted the neatly made beds and organization, she found who she sought sitting on his bed in the far corner. He looked up from a piece of paper, shock showing on his face.

"Princess," he stood. She stopped in front of him. She could have cried as she realized he'd been re-reading his wife's last letter. She pulled the letter Mark had been carrying from her pocket and handed it to him. He looked puzzled, then took it and opened it slowly. He only glanced at it before looking back up at her.

"When I ran from the castle, Fay took us in... then in the market place, Mark took us in. I told him I would deliver the letter to you, Jay. Blake is much better." Zelda said softly. He looked back at the letter, then up at her...and smiled.

"Thank you, Zelda," she nodded, wiping the tears from her face. He did the most unexpected thing then—he hugged her. "It's miserable, isn't it? Being separated from the one you're in love with?"

"Oh, yes... yes, it is..." she cried. She looked up at him and he only smiled.

"Zelda, I will get out of here sometime soon and be able to go back to Fay and Blake. But you... you have let your lover slip through your fingers forever. If you let him go now, he will not want to come back, and you will loose more then you can know,"

"No... I know... but how can he prove himself to my father? How can I prove him to my father? He will not listen and he will not accept... there is nothing I can do," she hung her head again.

"With that attitude, you're right," she looked up at him. "Zelda, tell him. You are not as weak as you think," With that he stepped back, smiled one more time and walked from the room. As soon as he was gone, Impa came from the doorway.

"What will you do, Zelda?"

"I will not sit by and wait for despair," she walked to Impa, trying to hold her head higher then she felt she could. "Come, Impa, we have a meeting with Father just now," She walked out after wiping the tears away, beginning to feel some confidence inside. Impa followed with a smile, hands behind her back, and hope for the princess in her heart.

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"So, let him prove himself." Zelda said.

"What has he to prove? And against whom?" her father asked.

"Father, Link is the Hero of Time. He is a chosen one. Let him prove himself."

"With what? How?"

"A duel with Impa." Zelda said. "Should Impa win, I will stay here. Should Link win, then you must let me live among the people with him until I am old enough to be queen,"

"That is a lot to rest on the folly of a battle, Zelda,"

"You have a better suggestion?"

"Yes, you forget this mission completely."

"No way!" she shouted as her foot pounded the floor.

His eyes grew wide. "What inappropriate language for a princess. Impa, take her back to her chambers. She will stay there until she learns her place... again."

"You are afraid!" Zelda said. "Afraid that I will not be a perfect queen, that I will let the people have more then you would give them; afraid that I will not rule as you have."

"You dare say that? You dare to hold to it?"

"I do."

"Go, Zelda... I will think over what you have said."

"You will think hard, Father. For any less would be a disgrace." She turned and left, knowing he was trying so hard to bring her up in a way she did not want to know.

Impa did not follow after the princess, but stayed with the king until she was long gone.

"We think alike, she and I," the king mused. "I do not know how long we can hold on to this ruse."

"As long as need be, sire. As long as need be," Impa assured.