xakattak: Thanks. Means a lot. Now if I could have the same luck with my Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts FanFics I'll be all set lol.

mellyd: Glad someone liked that part.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Ilia woke the next morning and was surprised to find Link missing, or so it first appeared. She looked around quickly and saw him sitting up in the tree, his face set with concentration.

Ilia got up and packed up her things. She looked around in time to see Rusl and Colin waking up as well. They all smiled and finished the packing, and Link joined them for a little breakfast. Then they mounted up and set out once more, leaving the forests of the Ordona Province behind.

They took a fairly straight course, pausing every now and then as Link hunted down some straggling bokoblins. As evening came closer, they could see the grand Castle of Hyrule in the distance. Link was surprised to see that even though only a few weeks had passed since he left, that the castle was already nearly repaired after the fight with Ganondorf.

No doubt thanks to Zelda's power, Link thought, remembering back to just before they left this morning. He had finally felt something react to his determination, a small tingling deep inside of him. When he had opened his eyes, the Triforce mark on his hand had been glowing very faintly. He was still going to ask Zelda for advice or tutoring.

They were nearing the castle gates when Link saw the sun halfway behind the horizon. He pulled up outside and they set up camp once more. Link explained that he didn't like coming to the castle at night… to many suspicious people. Even though castle security had undoubtedly been strengthened by much more disciplined guards than usual, thefts and muggings were still the norm of Castle Town's nightlife.

After every one had gone to sleep, Link sat on a nearby rock to guard his friends. It was then that it happened again. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he swiftly turned around. About three hundred yards away, standing atop a hill and clearly silhouetted against the full moon was a shadowy figure. The creepiest part about him had to be the eyes, they seemed to glow red. It was had to tell what he wore at this distance.

Link rubbed his eyes and looked again, only to find the stranger had vanished. Pondering this odd person, he woke Rusl, laid down, and fell asleep.

"Today's the day we meet the princess!" Colin shouted as they put away their bedrolls. Link chuckled a little and ruffled the boy's hair. They all mounted up and crossed a short stone area to the gates, which were wide open. As they were passing through the gates, Link spotted a few people skulking in a nearby alley. Thieves by the look of them.

Link leaned forward and reached around Ilia. She was shocked at first, but then realized what he was doing. He was stuffing the necklace he had given her inside her tunic, out of sight.

As they progressed through the town, slowly making their way to the castle, many people shouted at Link and threw praises to him. Link grinned sheepishly and waved back. Ilia seemed to be the only one to notice that some of the girls her own age that lived in the town were throwing her dirty looks and she realized why. A mischievous grin appearing on her face, she leaned back in the saddle against Link, looking right at home. The on-looking women scowled even more.

Link was feeling a little dizzy when they finally reached the gates to the castle itself. The guards recognized him and Rusl immediately and let them in. They approached the main entrance and dismounted. Link and Rusl entrusted the horses to a stable boy. Then Link took Ilia's hand and he led them all into the castle and to the throne room.

Ilia had never seen such a beautiful place before. Sure it was still being repaired, but it still looked marvelous. The stone walls were polished as was the floor, lovely tapestries adorned the walls and at the far end of the room, was a magnificent statue.

The statue depicted what looked to her like three angels flying around the gilded throne that stood within it. The crest of the royal family had been etched into the statue as well.

And there she was, the Princess of Hyrule herself, sitting in the throne wearing a blue gown and a tiara upon her long golden hair. She was currently discussing something with several people who were the heads of the work force and hadn't noticed the four newcomers enter.

They stood to the side and waited for her to finish. Link noticed that the princess had added several places where she could talk to people, including several sets of couches, and several groups of soft cushiony chairs. She had obviously tried to fill in the once vacant areas.

Zelda finally dismissed the workers and sat for a few moments rubbing her temples in annoyance. She looked up to see Link standing slightly apart from a few other people she hadn't seen before, though she thought she recognized the older man. Her once stressed face broke into a beautiful smile as she almost leapt of the throne and ran to Link. She gave him a quick, friendly hug before becoming her usual sophisticated self and they bowed to each other. Then Link turned and introduced his companions.

"Princess Zelda," Link began, completely forgetting that she had asked him to drop the formalities, "Allow me to introduce to you, a prominent member of the former Hylian Rebellion, Sir Rusl…"

Rusl stepped forward and kissed Zelda's hand out of respect. Zelda grinned and bowed to him.

"…and his charming son Colin…"

Colin in turn mimicked his father, blushing furiously when Zelda grinned at him as well.

".. and last but not least, someone I hold very dear to my heart, the lovely Ilia, daughter of the Ordon mayor, Bo."

Ilia stepped forward and curtsied, but Zelda waved it off, explaining to her in a whisper that such formalities were not required of her anymore than they were of Link. Ilia looked slightly confused, but the princess said no more on the subject.

"I'm so happy you're back Link!" Zelda said, smiling at him again. "Although, I must admit you've come back rather early."

"I'm aware Zelda," Link replied, remembering to drop the formalities this time. "There is something I'd like to discuss with you… though not now for obvious reasons." He stroked the back of his left hand and Zelda understood, though the others had no idea.

"Of course," she said nodding. "In a way, you coming early is a good thing. Would you be so kind as to help me with the workers every now and then? It's just hard to get through to them sometimes."

Link grinned knowingly; the same was true for Fado back home. "Of course Zel," he replied, using her nickname now. "I've had a bit of experience in that field."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ilia and Colin yawn at the same time. He turned his attention back to Zelda. "Are their rooms ready?"

"Yes, I had them prepared the day after I sent the letter."

Link nodded and approached a nearby servant whom Zelda had pointed to.

"Would you please escort these three to their rooms?" he asked the servant as though he were a prince. The servant nodded. Link turned to Ilia.

"I'll catch up with you in a little while okay?" he told her, holding her hands. She nodded with a smile on her face. "Until then, feel free to explore. You may go anywhere you wish. If a guard stops you, show him this." Link took Ilia's necklace out and turned it over, revealing the Royal Family Crest on the back. She was surprised, she had completely missed that.

Ilia could hardly believe her luck. She was staying at the Grand Castle of Hyrule and was speaking on a first name basis with a princess she just met. She was beginning to wonder how many other surprises there would be today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd like to apologize to my faithful readers for the rather long delay, I've been trying to focus on updating my Kingdom Hearts fanfic that I worked on a long time age. I only got the first few chapters up, but that doesn't really matter. I've also had an annoying essay I just finished, so updates should happen a little more often.

Thanks for sticking with me. Next chapter contains more surprises for Ilia! Yay!