Don't kill me!! (ducks from flying objects) I know it has been super long since I updated anything, and I'm sooooo sorry!!!! Senior year and life in general has been keeping me SUPER busy. But don't worry, I'm not giving up my stories. I'm still alive (though barely) and WILL continue to write, even if it takes a bit of time. Thank you all for being so patient!

Enjoy the next chapter! yay it's the wedding! (possibly one of my favorite chapters so far :)

I stared at my reflection in the mirror my father had given me, noticing how pale I looked. I swallowed, trying to calm my racing pulse.

Today was my wedding day. I was to become Mrs. Link Shade.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Zelda?" It was Rose. "May I come in?" I swallowed hard, closing my eyes for a second before opening them and crossing over to the door to open it.

"Yes." I said as I opened it. Rose smiled at me.

"Today's the day." She said cheerfully as she stepped into the room, and I noticed something held carefully in her arms. I took a deep breath.

"How's Link?" I asked quietly.

"He's nervous, but he's fine. He left early and went over to Rusl's house to get ready." Noting the confused look on my face, she said. "Rusl was a friend of Link's father. He's like a second father to Link. In fact, Rusl's son Collin is Link's godson." I nodded, feeling a little more relaxed now that I knew Link wasn't somewhere in the house.

Rose smiled again, setting the bundle she was carrying on the bed.

"I've brought the dress down. The wedding's in 3 hours, so let's get you looking like a princess." I nodded as Rose stepped towards me to help.

Three hours, three hours until I was married to a man I barely even knew.

-0-

Three hours had passed by in a blur. Rose had helped me put on the dress and had pulled my hair back into an elegant bun. She had even surprised me by pulling out an elegant silk veil from the same trunk the wedding dress had been in. And I had learned that the veil had also belonged to Link's mother.

"You look so beautiful Zelda." Rose said for the hundredth time. "Link's jaw is going to drop when he sees you."

Rusl had come to pick us up and take us to the small church where the wedding was to be held, and now he twisted around in the wagon seat to smile at me.

"Rose is right Zelda. You look beautiful. You will make a wonderful wife for Link." He winked at me, and I knew he was trying to cheer me up. I found myself going fond of Rusl, he was very kind.

We arrived at the church 15 minutes later. Rose quickly rushed me inside, peering around every corner to make sure Link had no chance of seeing me before the wedding. She ushered me into a large room, where a woman with short blonde hair and a very pregnant stomach stood waiting for us. She had tears in her eyes.

"Hello Zelda, it's so nice to finally meet you. I'm Rusl's wife Uli. I've heard all about you from what Link has told Rusl." She hugged me as best she could with her pregnant stomach. I smiled fondly at her. She was very sweet.

"It's nice to meet you too." I said quietly. Uli smiled at me.

There was a knock at the door. Rose quickly went to answer it and opened the door only a crack.

"A few more minutes ladies." It was Rusl. He left right after to wait for us outside. Both Rose and Uli turned to me.

"We'll give you a few minutes alone." Both women hugged me before departing the room to give me some time alone.

I didn't think my heart could race any faster as I moved slowly in Link's mother's dress over to the large mirror against the wall. I stared at me done-up reflection, thinking how this was my last few minutes as Zelda Harkinan.

I thought of my mother, and how much I wished she were here. I thought of my father and Impa as well, wondering how they were doing and if they were thinking of me and missing me as much as I missed them. I wished my father could be here to give me away, and how Rusl had volunteered to substitute for him.

A single tear rolled down my cheek.

"Zelda? It's time." Rose's voice called softly through the door. I quickly wiped the tear away with my gloved hand and made my way carefully to the door, so not to rip the dress.

Rose, Uli, Rusl and a young blonde boy were waiting for me outside. All of them were smiling. Uli put her hand on the young boy's shoulder.

"Zelda, this is my son Collin." I smiled at Collin.

"It's nice to meet you." I said. Collin smiled back. "It's nice to meet you too Miss Zelda. You must be real special if you're gonna marry Link." I smiled widely at that. Collin clearly took after his parents.

"Thank you Collin." Collin nodded and moved to take his place next to his mother, Uli, who was my bridesmaid. Rose was my maid of honor.

"Well Zelda, are you ready?" Rusl asked, offering his arm. I took a deep breath and nodded.

"I'm ready." I said.

-0-

As soon as we heard the wedding theme, Collin and Uli started down the isle, taking slow steps. Rose walked a few steps behind them. When they were halfway down, Rusl glanced at me and nodded. I nodded back, and we started slowly down the isle.

For the first few steps I looked down at my feet, not wanting to meet Link's eyes. But after a few more steps I lifted my head, unable to keep my head down any longer.

I spotted Link easily standing at the front. He his golden hair had somehow miraculously been combed neatly, and he was wearing a black suit that looked remarkably well on him.

I looked into his eyes, shining pools of bright blue, and felt my breath hitch in my throat. His eyes were filled with wonder, his face stunned as he took in the dress I was wearing. Then an emotion I didn't recognize crossed his features.

"He looks pretty dumbfounded to me." I heard Rusl whisper to me. My cheeks heated, and I blushed, which only caused him to grin widely.

We reached the front several more steps later. Link's face was now back to shock, and my cheeks were still red.

Rusl lifted my hand from his arm and held it out to Link, who lifted his own arm so I could place my own around it. I felt Rusl step away and move to stand next to his wife and son, who were watching quietly.

Link's eyes never left mine as he took both my hands in his and we turned to face each other. The minister performing the ceremony cleared his throat.

"We are gathered here today to bind these two people in holy matrimony. Do you, Link Derian Shade, take Zelda Lillian Harkinan, to be your lawful wedded wife, till death do you part?"

"I do." Link said, his voice firm and unwavering.

"And do you, Zelda Lillian Harkinan, take Link Derian Shade to be your lawful wedded husband, till death do you part?"

This was it, the moment I been both dreading and anticipating since my father had told me of the engagement. The moment I said yes would be my last as single Zelda Harkinan.

"I do." I said softly. I had said it. And now I was officially Mrs. Link Shade.

"Then by the power of the goddesses, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

My heart jumped in my throat as he said that, and again as Link slowly lowered his head to kiss me gently on the lips. My first kiss.

Suddenly, everyone was clapping, and it took me a second to realize just how many people were here. Great goddesses, it looked like the entire town was here.

I must have zoned out, because seconds later I felt myself being scooped off the ground and carried towards the church entrance. I looked up and saw Link watching me as he carried me out, a small smile on his face. I smiled in return; I was beginning to like the feel of his arms carrying me.

Link carried me easily out of the church as if I weighed nothing at all. I could feel his broad shoulder muscles as he carried me to a beautiful white carriage waiting for us outside at the base of the steps. The entire church poured out after us, laughing and cheering and clapping as Link gently lifted me up into the seat and then climbed up the other side after me. He picked up the reins, and the two of us waved before Link flicked the reins, and then we were off to the reception.

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

Neither Link nor I spoke as we rode to the reception, though I could feel him look at me several times. I felt my cheeks flush every time, and I knew he saw it.

The reception was at a small community hall the town used for any special events. Uli and Rose had arranged for a buffet and music, and it didn't take long for people to start arriving after Link and I did.

The instant Rose and Uli were in the door they threw their arms around me, tears rolling down their cheeks as they told me how beautiful I looked and how beautiful the wedding was. I hugged them back, and I felt strangely content.

Uli and Rose pulled back as music began to play and insisted I dance with them. They pulled me, laughing, onto the dance floor and the three of us danced together.

15 minutes later Uli suddenly placed her hand on my shoulder and whispered "Zel, Link's staring at you."

I turned and searched the crowd of faces for my new husband, spotting him standing next to Rusl by the buffet (of course they're near the food) his was staring at me, his eyes dark and full of an emotion I didn't recognize, the same one as when I was walking down the isle. I quickly looked away from him, feeling my cheeks heat up. Both Rose and Uli were smiling at me. I only blushed harder and glanced towards the floor. Rose quickly turned and weaved her way through the crowd until she was at the small stage the band was playing at. She spoke to them for a second, and they stopped playing.

"Excuse me! Ladies and Gentlemen!" she shouted. Everyone quickly calmed down and turned their attention to her. Rose smiled widely.

"I believe it's time for our bride and groom to have their first dance as husband and wife." My breath quickened as she said this, and my eyes flickered over to Link, who was looking at Rose. His eyes quickly shifted to me, and he smiled. I quickly looked away and back at Rose, who was smiling at me. She waved her hand, and everyone began to move away from the stage, to give Link and I some room.

I turned around in time to see Link walking towards me, his eyes on my face. He stopped in front of me, staring at me for a second before offering me his hand. I swallowed and took it, and he pulled me close to him, his right hand in my left and his left hand on my waist.

Slow music began to fill the room, and I allowed my head to rest on Link's muscled shoulder, my right hand resting on his chest. My father had taught me to dance years ago, but at the moment my mind had gone completely blank.

Link led us slowly, and after a few minutes I saw other couples one by one join in. I closed my eyes for a second and just relaxed, taking it all in. I felt Link press his face into my hair and sigh deeply. It felt nice.

We stayed like this for a while. I didn't even notice another slow song had started. When the song ended, I pulled away tilted my head up to look at Link's face. He stared back down at me, his blue eyes soft, drowning me… I blinked a few times and looked away, searching for Rusl and Uli in the crowd of people.

I saw her a few feet away, dancing with Rusl as much as her belly would allow. She was smiling at me, and when she saw me looking at her she winked and nodded towards Link.

I glanced back at Link and saw him smiling softly at me.

"Dance with me again?" I heard him say quietly, and my breath caught. Unable to say anything, I nodded, and seconds later he was leading me slowly around the dance floor.

An hour or so later, I was tired. Link and I had danced two more times, and I had also danced with Rusl and even young Collin once. The sun was almost completely set by the time people had begun to leave, and I was glad, for I really wanted to just go home and sleep.

Home, that was a bit strange to say. This was my home now. I was a married woman. I had a house and a husband to take care of now. I was sitting near the buffet trying to stifle back a large yawn when Rose appeared out of nowhere.

"Goodness Zelda, you look dead on your feet! It's time you went home, Uli and I will take care of everything here. I'll go and get Link…" I set my head on the table as she left, and returned not a minute later with Link behind her.

"She's had a long day, it's no wonder she's tired. She's about to fall asleep right there." Link nodded, "I'll take her home." He said, and I felt his arms go around me as he scooped me off the chair and cradled me to him. My eyes closed and I leaned my head against his chest and tucked my arms in comfortably, he was warm and comfortable, and I was tired. He carried me out to the white carriage and gently lifted me in, setting me so I leaned against him and tucking a blanket around me to keep me warm. The ride home past quickly, and the last thing I remember is him carrying me up a set of steps and setting me on something soft before the world went dark and I fell asleep.

Sorry it's so short, but I really wanted to get it up. I have a favor to ask all you wonderful reviewers. I need some ideas. I've started on the next chapter, and I have a few ideas for future ones, but I do need some help. So bring on the ideas!! I wanna hear what you all want in this story! Let the ideas flow!

Thanks again for being so patient! Please review!

AnimeWildfire