Hey everyone! Well this is it, the last chapter. I want to thank EVERYONE who reviewed. It was great motivation for me to actually finish one of my stories. I'm almost sad that it's over but I will be writing more. Probably won't have a sequel but I'll write more stories. Enjoy!
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Loves Limit
A Link and Zelda Romance Fan Fiction
Chapter 8 – The Final Showdown
Link was fed up with this. All the hiding, ducking and avoiding was getting him jumpy and nervous. He just wanted to get this over with so he could go back to his life!
'It's now or never.' he thought to himself. He pulled his sword from its sheathe and stepped into the dimly lit room.
The candles flickered and made his blue eyes twinkle. Link's aura emitted sheer heroism and bravery.
"Sir Leo, I will not allow you to advance your wicked ways. You will be stopped." Link said as he took a fighting stance.
Sir Leo smirked at Link's speech. "Ha. You must be kidding." He said as he looked Link over. "Your form and small stature is a joke in itself. How do you propose to defeat – let alone – fight me?" Sir Leo stated mockingly.
Link sighed. 'I guess I'm going to have to give him the whole 'I am the Hero of Time' speech…' Link said to himself.
"Sir Leo, I truly hate to brag about my title, but I will warn you – I am the Hero of Time. I was bestowed the gift of courage by the Goddess Farore. I have also defeated Ganondorf – the King of Evil – so I believe I think I have the power to vanquish your evil black magic. A lowly sorcerer such as yourself would be quite an unfair match." he said courageously.
Sir Leo's eyes narrowed and then darkened. "Oh really?" he spat back sarcastically. "I believe I would be quite the formidable match for the Hero of Time." Sir Leo hissed out the word 'Hero' as if it were poisonous venom.
"Then I say a fight must ensue." said Link.
As fast as lightning, Sir Leo drew his sword and like that metal clashed into metal. Sword to sword, hand to hand, face to face.
It was truly all or nothing for the two swordsmen. Link was quite taken aback by Leo's skills. He may be conceited but he was formidable.
The Blade of Evil's Bane could not even find an opening to strike as Sir Leo's sword blocked every blasted attempt.
Link sidestepped another swipe and then, right there and then, a glimmer of hope had opened up on Leo's side. The Goddesses were with Link tonight.
He stepped back for only a moment before he rolled on the ground, behind Sir Leo, and then shot up into the air, swinging his sword forcefully and violently – releasing a powerful back slice.
Leo cried in pain as his life's fluid oozed from the gash covering his back and side. He howled in a blind fury!
He started slashing back and forth like a madman – not even contemplating who or what he was hitting.
Link walked backward as Sir Leo picked up his pace and swung the sword faster. Link had to do a back-flip to elude the fatal blade.
Eventually, Link was barricaded by a rock wall, a wall of minions and Leo's crazed sword. He backed up into the wall and tried to side-roll away but was painfully yanked back.
He realized he was being held in the air by his tunic's collar, which was in a fearsome death-grip by Sir Leo's hand.
"I am going to finish you once and for all!!! You won't get in my way again!" he shouted viciously.
'So this is how it ends for me? In a dank cave, killed by a madman's blade? I feel so pathetic…' Link thought to himself as he lowered his head to the ground.
Sir Leo raised his sword and then… time seemed to slow. He began to bring down his accursed blade that would, for sure, bring end to Hyrule's savior.
Right as Link felt the cold, sharp metal meet the flesh of his neck, a whizzing sound rushed through the air.
As time began to regain its normal flow once more to Link, he peered up to see a glowing arrow jutting out of Sir Leo's shoulder. He clutched it in agony and crumpled to the floor.
Link fell on his back, sat up and snapped his head into the direction in which the arrow was fired from.
There - standing in her nightgown, clutching the bow that had surely saved his life – was Zelda, worry and relief evident in her blue eyes.
Link jumped up and ran towards her. She dropped the bow and they embraced.
"How did you know I was here?" Link whispered softly. "The Goddesses came to me in a dream. They told me you were in grave danger. I came as soon as I woke up." she replied. "You are amazing. Thank you. Thank you so much." He spoke.
Link breathed in her intoxicating scent and Zelda leaned up and looked into his eyes. Their lips meet in a kiss, but the moment was broken when an evil laugh was heard.
"You didn't think a silly light arrow could stop me, did you? I will carry out my plan!! The King will perish, you will be out of my way-" he said as he glared at Link "-and you will be mine." He grinned evilly at Zelda as he said that last part.
Zelda sent daggers at him through her eyes. "Sir Leo, I will never be yours! I am not a possession! I wouldn't be yours six years ago, what in Hyrule makes you think I will be now?!" she yelled.
Then, Link's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you know him?" he asked. Zelda looked over at him and said "I didn't even realize it until just now, but yes. Six years ago, Sir Leo wanted to marry me. I told him time after time again, that I did not love him and he did not love me – only my body. I never once saw love, or care, or kindness in his eyes… only a raging, burning lust."
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FLASHBACK – 6 Years Ago
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"Come on, Zelda, baby. Touch me, kiss me." Sir Leo said seductively- puckering his lips. Young Zelda rolled her eyes and began to stalk away.
"I wouldn't touch you if you were agonizingly dying on the floor of the throne room." she called back to him nonchalantly.
"Oh, come on now Zellie." he said as he caught up to her. "Don't be rude." he said with a sly, dark smirk as he placed his hand on the small of her back.
Zelda gasped, whipped around and decked him. She yelped again. She had never punched anyone in her whole life but it was only for self-defense. She watched him plummet to the tiled floor of the hallway they were in. He was apparently caught off guard by the sudden flying fist and blood was dripping from his nose, which looked almost broken.
Her eyes darkened as she realized just what he was trying to do. "Don't ever touch me again you sick pervert! And don't think for a second that I won't tell my father." she said icily.
Sir Leo simply laughed at her antics and pulled himself up off the floor. He skulked down the hallway and the scullery maids shivered in his presence. No one in the whole castle really liked him except for the Royal Guard and the King.
Later on that night, Zelda told her father everything. How he treated her like a pet or possession. How he only wanted to be wed so he could attain power over Hyrule. But mostly how he touched her.
The King denied his daughter almost nothing. If she wasn't happy, he wouldn't give Sir Leo his blessings. When it came to Zelda and intimacy, he was very strict.
Sir Leo was banished from Hyrule for inappropriate acts with the Princess and while everyone was rejoicing in the castle –from the maids to the chefs to Zelda herself- the Royal Guard was sulking and whining over the loss of their strongest knight.
Ever since then, Sir Leo has been furious and wanted nothing more than to take the life of the man who had banished him from his own life. 'That King will rue the day he had banished me. I will take what is rightfully mine.' he thought to himself every day.
No one ever found out of his sorcery…
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END FLASHBACK – Back in the Present
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"…at least not until today." Zelda finished with a dramatic look to the ceiling. Link smirked and looked to Sir Leo. "Ha! It looks like the King isn't such a bad guy after all!" he said mockingly.
"Ah yes, and what a touching story it is. But now we must depart!" He laughed maniacally. "We won't make it in time to fulfill my plans!" he laughed some more and raised his left hand in the air.
Zelda gasped and Link pulled her close, all the minions shielded themselves and then everyone in the room disintegrated into black and red particles.
After a few minutes of being built back together, everyone was rematerialized in the throne room of Hyrule Castle. Link looked up and nudged Zelda who then lifted her head from Link's strong arms and looked around as well.
The minions were peering around confusedly and Sir Leo turned to them and said "Tie up the King and bring him here. I will deal with him later."
The minions nodded and set off to His Highness's quarters.
"Now, what to do with you?" he asked himself as he turned to Zelda. "What do you think, Link? Levitating Chamber?" as he asked this he clapped his hands and a blood red, crystal barrier surrounded Zelda.
The crystal then flew up in the air. Zelda cried out and punched the chamber, only to be shocked with dark magic. Link snarled at Sir Leo. "Let her go." He said icily.
"Okay, how about this then?" Sir Leo fought back. He snapped his fingers and the crystal disappeared. Zelda fell to the ground, but didn't make contact because right before she hit the floor, Link caught her.
Sir Leo snapped his fingers again and now Zelda had metal chains binding her wrists and ankles. He shook his head and said "Hmm… it's okay but I have a better idea. How about both!" he laughed maniacally and Zelda was again lifted in the air- held captive by the crystal diamond.
"LET HER GO!" Link shouted furiously. "Nah, I don't think I will." Sir Leo replied. Then the minions came back with a bound and gagged King. Sir Leo chucked and began walking over toward the King.
Link turned around on his heel and looked up at Zelda trying to get her attention. When she was looking at him, Link said "Okay Zelda, here's what we're going to do, so listen carefully. I'm going to destroy the crystal and get rid of your chains. Then I will distract Leo and you get your father to safety."
Zelda nodded; tears cascading down her face. Link slashed the Master Sword at the crystal until it began to crack at the bottom. Zelda kicked out the bottom –this time anticipating the fall- and landed gracefully on her feet.
She held her arms out, bearing the chains, and Link brought down the sword carefully yet strong, upon them. Now that she was free of the confinement and chains, Link whispered "Okay Zel, wait for my signal."
Then he dashed up to Leo hoping to get him by surprise but Sir Leo was ready. In less than seconds the two men's sword were clinking and clashing together. Link put one hand behind his back and made a waving motion with it, signaling Zelda to go.
Zelda, who was safely hidden behind a wide pillar, zipped across the room to her father.
Meanwhile, Sir Leo and Link were still in mid-combat, when Sir Leo caught sight of the red crystal shards that littered the tile floor. Leo was enraged! 'How in blazes could she have escaped!' he thought to himself.
He looked around still trying to focus on Link, and damned if the girl wasn't slithering her way towards the King.
Sir Leo sent a punch to Link's gut and Link – who hadn't expected this - was thrown off his feet, hurtling to the floor.
Leo shot out a hand and small, black-magic particles seeped out.
Link recognized this scene from his vision! 'Everything is falling into place! I can't use the same tactic! I must protect Zelda.' he thought to himself determinedly.
He jumped up off the ground and battled his way hastily though the minions who were clawing at his tunic. The particles were sliding in a straight line across the floor right towards her! Link jumped in front of her and used a Spin Attack to scatter them.
The particles ceased moving. If they had been alive, they looked dead now. Then, suddenly, the particles floated up into the air, melding together into the form of a deadly arrow!
It launched itself at the two and Link was scared. As he wracked his brain for some sort of answer he got it. He could only think of one thing that could prevent that arrow from splicing though him and Zelda.
The Shield Attack.
Just as the arrow was about to make contact, Link thrust his Hylian Shield forward, veering the dark magic arrow in reverse. Sir Leo's face contorted and shifted to a look of horror as the arrow met with his unprotected body.
Everyone in the room silenced. Not a sound was heard. Was he dead? Is it over? These questions, among many others, were being thought of by everyone in the room.
Sir Leo flung his hand to the arrow and ripped it out of his chest. All eyes went wide with fear or surprise as the arrow disintegrated into a fog and took over Leo's sword. As the sword became overthrown by darkness, so did he. His body began to emit an evil blackish-purple aura and his eyes glowed a sinister yellow.
"THAT IS IT! I AM FINISHING THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!" he screamed to the heavens. He turned around to face the trembling King. He raised his blade into the air and flipped it downward as if to stab King Gregory right in the chest.
Zelda cried and hid her face into her gloved hands for she could not watch herself become an orphan.
Link could only think of one more idea.
It was risky but also his only chance at bringing peace once again.
He unsheathed the Master Sword, and threw it.
Straight, clear-cut across the throne room.
An inhumane screech filled the silence of the grand castle. Sir Leo turned around to give Link a better look at his aim and accuracy.
The blade had gone right through his side. It jutted out and black blood made Leo's clothes sodden. His skin began to crack and he fell to his knees letting out another scream of pure agony.
His cracked skin shattered. He was now in pieces. The fragments of his body and sword – now diminished. Everything turned into a black mist and settled into the ground before evaporating into nothing.
Link hesitantly walked over after all the minions let out ear piercing screams and blew up into oblivion. He picked up the Master sword and cleaned it of the dark blood- placing it back in the sheath.
King Gregory placed a hand on Link's shoulder. "Link… I am honestly… at a loss for words. You really saved my life and Zelda's as well! I always treated you, well, horribly and I want to make up for it. Is there anything –anything at all- that I can do for you?" he asked with grateful, happy eyes.
"Sire, I have realized throughout this whole escapade that I have fallen in love with your daughter more so than I had before this whole ordeal started. I would appreciate nothing more than your blessing." He said smiling.
Zelda was shocked and all teary eyed. Her father replied "Well Link I would but due to you social status I don't think I can." Link's smile faded and Zelda's temper flared up.
"Father, how could you?! He saved your life and"- "Zelda, let me finish!" he turned back to Link and continued "So because of your low class I have no choice but to knight you."
Link's mouth was agape and he sputtered "Your highness! You would… wait… you" He couldn't manage to complete his sentence before the King had gotten out a thin blade.
"Kneel." He said. Link dropped down on one knee and lowered his head, letting his locks of blonde hair fall in front of his ears.
"I hear by knight you – Sir Link of Ordon- Hero of Time, Protector and Savior of Hyrule – rise." He said, tapping both of Link's shoulders with the flat of the sword.
"Now – I give you my blessing." the King said with a big smile. It appeared Link's big; ear-to-ear grin was contagious.
He turned around and walked towards Zelda. The one he loved without end. The King sat in his throne and watched to see how this would happen.
Link cleared his throat. He wasn't expecting to do this so suddenly so he had to ad-lib. He spoke from the heart.
"Zelda, you are my heart, the air I breathe, and the one I love. I would do anything for you. Just so I can see that smile of yours every waking day. The only thing that could truly make me any happier than I am right now, is if you would be my wife."
Link took Zelda's hands and got down on one knee. He reached in his pocket praying to the Goddesses it was still there and… ah-ha! There it was; a little red velvet pouch with a golden pull-string. He opened it revealing a little gold band with a single diamond on it. Zelda gasped!
It was not very fancy but it must have been so expensive for Link. "Link, this must have taken forever for you to be able to pay for! You didn't have to." "Zelda relax. I wanted to. I've been saving up for ages."
He smiled up at her and held the ring in front of her face. "Zelda, will you marry me?" She had tears of joy streaming down her porcelain face and she said "Yes, yes, of course I'll marry you!" she laughed. He slid the ring onto her finger and picked her up – spinning her around. Then their lips met in another deep, passionate kiss.
The King just chuckled as he pushed himself up off the throne. As he began to walk back to his chambers he thought to himself 'There really is nothing a person wouldn't do for the one they love. I suppose it just goes to show that there is no extent or limit to love.'
THE END
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Awww! I almost cried myself! Why can't guys at my school be more like Link? AGGH! Oh well. I want to give a special thanks to all my reviewers and my friend Barri. She was the only one who read the whole story! All my other friends are 'Zelda-Haters'… a crude bunch- really, but I still love them all nonetheless. Ha-ha! =) So there will defiantly be an epilogue. What kind of story would it be without an epilogue! I am so sorry this took me forever to get online. I apologize sincerely! Well I hope you liked Loves Limit! Look forward to the Epilogue and be sure to review!
-BunnyRose1995