A/N: Sorry that it took so long to update! I'm glad that people like this story! Your reviews mean so much to me! Please continue reading and reviewing!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Legend of Zelda.

Chapter 12: A Difficult Order

The wind blew crisply as the guards dragged their prisoner to the top of the massive fortress. The clouds gathered menacingly above, threatening to pour rain. Time seemed to be moving at an incredibly slow pace, as if biding the time that Link had left to live. The sun had disappeared hours ago, about the same time that Link had fallen into Zelda's trap.

Link's head drooped from lack of sleep. He had figured that Zelda was going to execute him quickly, but instead she had had him tortured for several hours, add onto that the lack of sleep and food...and you get the perfect combination for a fatigued Hero of Time. Link could barely keep his eyes open. He had endured worse on his journey and this certainly wasn't the worst beating that he had ever recieved, but for some reason he was in a worse state then he could ever remember.

A light layer of rain began to fall from the angry sky. Malon watched as they dragged Link's bruised and broken body up the steps and towards the top of tall tower. She stood by helplessly, there wasn't a thing that she could do...and yet she couldn't help thinking that there had to be a way to save him. It's my fault...Link is going to die because of me. Her thoughts consisted mainly of the guilt she felt for having basically brought this fate to Link.

Zelda stood in front of the execution block, robed in black. Finally, the revenge would be exacted and she would be freed from her mental prison. She looked away from the approaching guards and the prisoner that they held. This is right and you know it. She pushed down her conscience and regained her posture. He's your friend...you can't do this. Thoughts continued to drift back to what she should be doing. If she had told Link what was really going on...then maybe this situation could've been resolved or avoided. But it was too late now...there was no going back after this. Link would die and she would be free. He would pay her price.

The guards approached the block and Zelda stepped forward. "Link, you are condemned for death due to your crimes against the crown."

Link mustered up enough strength to give Zelda a disgusted look. "Zelda, you can't do this-"

"That is where you are wrong, Forest Boy. I can and intend to exact the justice that needs to be carried out," Zelda hissed.

"How?" Link questioned.

"How what?" Zelda answered. "How are you going to die? How painful will it be? How-"

"How are you going to be able to live with yourself knowing that you killed an innocent man and threatened an innocent woman?" Link stated boldly.

Zelda looked away, trying desperately to think of a comeback. He was right and she knew it. "You are not innocent. You have killed many people and creatures...I would say that is murder, Link."

Link shook his head weakly. "That is such a lie, Zel. It is a lie and you know it. My motives were true and--"

"Enough! I will hear no more!" She waved her hand, motioning for the guards. "It is time."

Unknown to anyone else, a figure was silently standing within the safety of the shadows. Zelda turned her head and looked towards the area where the figure was. She had the feeling that she was being watched, but by who? She didn't know if she was imagining things or if there really was someone watching her sentence of the innocent man.

Link's head was pushed roughly to the wooden block. He could see the dark red color already on the block and knew immediately that it was blood. Knowing that his blood was soon going to be joining that sickening collection. He felt like he was going to be sick. From the corner of his eye he spotted Malon standing near the wall of the castle. What would happen to her once he was gone? He hoped that she would be safe and that Zelda would leave her alone. But in the pit of his stomach, he knew otherwise. He knew that Malon was in grave danger...and he wouldn't be there to protect her. That frightened him more than death.

Malon stood as stiff as stone as she watched the guards force Link to the ground and onto the block. She wanted to scream, but her voice had worn out long ago. She wanted to weep, yet she had shed too many tears already and had no more. This wasn't the way it was supposed to go...Link wasn't supposed to die! She gripped her hands tightly together, fighting the urge to run away. She wouldn't, couldn'tt, watch Link die. Not here, not like this.

Her red hair blew around her face more rapidly and wildly as the wind began to pick up speed, the rain began to pour harder. The clouds grew darker and the temperature became colder. Link looked at her and she gave him a pitying look. He returned the look with a weak smile. In that smile held every hope and fear Malon had ever had. It brought back so many memories...both good and bad.

(Pre Temple of Time)

Malon ran faster and she heard the approaching footsteps. They continued to grow louder and louder. She ran faster using all her agility to dodge the trees in her way. Then out of nowhere she was tackled to the ground by a green blur.

"You're it!" yelled the green clothed boy.

"That was not fair! You are way faster than me, Fairy Boy!" Malon said back.

"Practice makes perfect." He flashed her a charming smile and then ran off into the woods.

"You can run, but you can't hide!" Malon yelled into the forest as she took off after Link.

Dodging more trees she finally arrived at an open area, in the center was a small lake. She was careful to avoid it since she wasn't a very good swimmer. But before she knew it Link was charging past her, full speed. She lunged to get him but tripped and went tumbling into the water. Flailing, she tried desperately to escape her watery trap. Link noticed she had fallen in and immediately jumped in after her. She went under the water and Link dove down and grabbed onto her collar, barely being able to pull both him and her back to the surface.

He dragged them both out of the cold water and Malon spat water out of her mouth. Link looked apologetically at her. He felt guilty for her nearly drowning in that small lake.

"Are you alright, Malon?" He asked quietly.

"Yeah...yeah I'm fine." She smiled at him softly.

"I'm sorry, Mal. It was my fault that you fell in the water. I shoulda been more careful," he said, glancing downward guiltily..

"It's fine, Fairy Boy. It's my fault, I should have been watching where I was going...er, lunging." Malon coughed a bit more.

"But it was my idea to play in the forest," Link said, angry at himself for putting Malon in danger. "I'm just so used to the danger that I didn't think about how you would handle it-"

"Are you saying that I can't handle myself?" Malon pretended to be angry.

"Um...no! What I was trying to say was...I didn't mean that you...because I'm sure that you can..." Malon giggled at Link's flusteration.

"I'm just kidding, Fairy Boy." She giggled again and Link smiled. "I'm just glad that you're here. Because I know you'll always be able to save me when I need it."

Link scooted closer to Malon. "I'll always protect you, Malon. I will always be there for you when you need me. Always."

Thinking of the memories made Malon feel even more terrible. Of course Link could protect her...but who was going to protect Link? A large guard dressed in black approached Link, in his hand was a large axe. Malon's hand instantly flew to her mouth. This was it. She couldn't watch, but she couldn't bring herself to look away. Link looked ahead, the same determined expression that he usually had. A few tears escaped from Malon's eyes. He wasn't afraid...he was going to be executed and he wasn't afraid. He truly did love her. And in that moment, Malon knew she wasn't afraid either.

She ran up to Link and wrapped her arms around him. "Link...I love you."

Link looked shocked. "Malon, you shouldn't be here. You will get hurt."

"I don't care, Link. I just want to be with you. You said that you couldn't live without me by your side...well, Link, I can't live without you by my side," Malon poured her heart out.

"I love you too, Malon. Always have." A small tear escaped from the Hero of Time's eye. "Always will."

The guards watched in silence. They were more surprised than angry. Zelda stood, amazed by the tenacity of the young woman. Now what was she going to do? Could she really condemn him now, after seeing such an act of love? She looked at the two and knew that they truly loved each other...and just like that, the darkness that had binded her shattered, and it was as if the scales of night fell from her eyes, and she saw that what she was doing was wrong. It would help no one; it would not save Hyrule.

"I...I thought that I could order this. But I...I just...can't." Zelda stuttered. "Release them, release them both."

Both guards happily released the two prisoners. Both Link and Malon embraced each other roughly. Zelda sank into the shadows and snuck out of sight and back into her room.

"Thank Din!" Malon said, relieved.

"For you." Link finished with a smile.

A/N: I believe I will be wrapping this story up soon so we will finally see what happens with everyone! Oh, and I would NEVER kill Link. LOL.