As hinted by the title, this chapter is very Zelda & Link centric. How will the princess react to the rebirth of Link?

Chapter 6 – Golden Princess

"Princess, he is here."

"Send him in."

The guard bowed before scurrying out of the room. A few moments later, Link wandered in, following the carpet to the throne. Statues of the three goddesses hung in the air, and below them was a throne, occupied the Royal Family: Princess Zelda. Link couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

Zelda launched herself from the throne, hiking up her dress and running towards Link. She drew to a stop inches away from him, slowly raising her left arm and caressing his face with her gloved hand.

"By the Goddesses, it's true! You are alive!"

Link was unsure of what to say. 'I'm back' sounded silly in light of the way he left, so he allowed the princess to soak in reality all on her own. But from behind Zelda, he spotted movement. He now understood why he didn't run into Lucario in the castle – he was already here, standing next to the throne.

"I…I will protect this land again, I swear it, princess."

"Of course. Hyrule needs you."

"I'm not sure if I'm worthy of its people."

Zelda retracted her hand. "What do you mean?"

"I was chased by an angry mob," Link admitted, averting his eyes from the princess.

"Are you okay?"

"I managed to lose them before they hurt me."

"That's not what I meant. For a valorous man to be chased away by the people he has sworn to protect…"

"I can understand why they were so angry. I failed them, and the demon has killed countless in my absence."

Zelda was in shock. This was a different side to Link, a side in angst, quietly seeking redemption.

"Oh, Link…you can't believe that, can you?"

Link gently held both of Zelda's hands and gave her a weak smile. "I appreciate that you don't hold my death against me, princess."

"Link, you misunderstand! The people are not hostile because they blame you for dying. They think you're an imposter!"

Link was speechless.

"Did you not see the fountain in the town square?"

Link shook his head, "I moved quickly, trying to keep out of sight."

Zelda immediately gripped his wrist and pulled him along, out of the throne room and on to the balcony. They climbed down the staircase and leaned over the stone barrier, looking upon the town below. Zelda pointed to the fountain in the center of the square. It was far, but Link could tell that the Triforce emblem had been replaced.

"It's…me," he whispered, a statue of him posing with sword and shield reflecting in his eyes. Why didn't he notice it before?

"You are a hero, Link. And you were remembered as one. That will never change."

"I just assumed…" he chuckled. "Well, it is easier to accept an imposter than someone returning from the dead."

The corners of Zelda's smile faltered slightly. "There have been persistent rumors that I've hired an imposter to appear throughout the land in order to raise the kingdom's morale."

The two fell silent, enjoying the weather. The sun was beaming but not overbearing due to the occasional gusts.

Zelda was the first to break the moment. "Please, tell me…how are you here? I saw your body after the battle…I was at the funeral. I was there when your tomb was sealed…how can you stand before me? Even as Lucario foretold of your return, I didn't believe him."

"It's a bizarre but thrilling story, princess…and it's not over. I'll tell you everything, but you have to tell me what your connection to Lucario is."

They were face to face when Link noticed that Lucario had followed them out of the throne room. He kept his distance at the top of the staircase, and his presence did not deter Zelda from beginning her tale.

"After you died, the demon was gone…we assumed that he had been slain or at least fled the land. We were only given a year to mourn you before he returned…nothing had changed for him. There is no method to his madness. Even the Gorons and Zoras have experienced loss from his random killing sprees."

Link's fist shook in rage. All of the killing was senseless.

"When it seemed all was lost," Zelda continued, placing a hand on Link's fist, "Lucario appeared and began repelling the demon's attacks. He has greatly helped Hyrule. We are in his debt."

Link felt a new sense of respect for Lucario. He was turned away from them, but Link was sure those keen ears were picking up every word.

"Have you met this Brotherhood he keeps talking about?"

"Not personally, but I know they've assisted in repelling the demon."

"He wants me to join them. I haven't turned him down but I'm not sure. He says he can give me more power…then maybe I can stop Kneph and avenge the fallen, like Epona…"

"All of this time, and you didn't know? Epona is fine."

Link was slack-jawed before releasing a huge sigh of relief. One less victim of Kneph's.

"When we found you, you were already gone…but Epona could be saved. I nursed her back to health myself. If it wasn't for the healing magic, she wouldn't have made it. Eventually, an Ordonian girl claimed her. The mayor's daughter, I believe. You should know her."

Link looked into the blue sky, knowing that his happiness would only be temporary with the demon on the loose. No more stalling. No more games. He was back and it was time to take immediate action to destroy Kneph and preserve what was left.

"Princess…what happened to my equipment? And the Master Sword? I don't want to give Kneph the opportunity to kill again."

"We buried your possessions with you in your tomb, in the Sacred Grove. The Master Sword was used to seal it."

"I need to leave for Ordon immediately."

"I'll come with you. We can take my caravan to the village."

"No way. I can't allow that. If Kneph even gets the slightest hint that I'm alive, he's going to come for me. I won't put you in danger."

"Did we not battle Ganondorf together?" Zelda didn't wait for a response and continued, "Then you know that I am quite capable."

"We didn't have a choice. The battlefield is no place for the Royal Family and I-"

"Shhhh," Zelda pushed her finger against Link's lips. "Every Hyrulean princess is born with magical prowess. I am no exception – I was taught skill with the rapier and in the magical arts, purely for defensive reasoning. I have abilities far beyond most of the denizens of this land, and as the sole remainder of the Royal Family, it is my job to oversee and protect the people."

Unlike most princesses, Link found Zelda as one to often wear a stony expression. It was an act of control, and he could only guess what happened in her life before he met her that drove her into wearing such a cold, calculated expression. But for just a moment, the eyes he peered into became a blue well of guilt – pain.

"Link, you died right outside of the town's perimeter. I could have been there," her voice cracked. "My repertoire of spells…the Light Arrows. Anything! We should have destroyed Kneph together. There was no reason for you to have died."

Link grabbed Zelda by the golden shoulder plates of her dress. "Princess, don't blame yourself. When I left Ordon, I knew the cost of being a warrior. It was my choice."

"And this choice is mine."

Link brushed back his hair and chuckled, "Alright, you win." Deep down he knew he couldn't actually stop Zelda from doing as she pleased. It would be better to watch over her than force her to follow his trail.

Zelda grinned. "I will inform the guard. We will depart immediately."

"I will accompany you," Lucario stated, appearing behind them. "I also seek the destruction of Kneph. And Link, I have decided that it is nearly time for you to meet the Brotherhood."

Things have been going relatively smoothly, but that obviously can't last. Besides Kneph, there are other dangers lurking in Hyrule.

By the end of the next chapter, we may see some more smash brothers and some action sequences.