Link and Ilia walked back to the bar hand in hand, Ilia's head resting on Link's shoulder. When they went down the side alley, they quickly dropped hands and acted as though nothing had happened. Neither of them were brave enough for the embarrassments that would follow when the others found out. Especially Dad, Ilia thought. Oh, how he would torture her!
Link knocked on the door and entered, dragging Ilia out of her panicky thoughts and through the arch. Surprisingly, no-one was asleep, although it was well past midnight. Bo glared angrily at them.
"What time do you two call this then?" he yelled.
"Now, now, Bo. Don't you think you're being a little harsh on --" Telma began.
"Don't tell me how to raise my daughter!"
Ilia quailed under her father's anger, but Link stuck his chin defiantly in the air. Ilia glanced nervously at him, willing him not to do anything stupid, but knew that Link's pride and determination matched her father's.
"Well, I'm sorry if I lost track of time, but if I'm leaving as soon as the festival is over, can you expect me not to spend some time with my best friend?" Link protested, his voice barely containing his anger. Ilia jumped in alarm.
"You're leaving so soon?"
"Sorry, but I have matters to deal with in the Gerudo Desert. I was hoping not to tell you until after the festival.."
Everyone seemed sad that he'd be leaving so soon. Even Bo calmed down.
"Well, now that I know your intentions, I suppose it's not too bad. But Link, will you promise me something?"
"Anything."
"That you'll protect my daughter as much as possible."
"With my life. Believe me, not even Zant himself shall lay a finger on her so long as I'm alive."
And, worryingly for Ilia, she knew that his word was more than idle threat.

"What's Zant like then?" Ilia asked Link over breakfast. At noon the festival would begin, so they were enjoying the last few hours of quiet.
"Would it mean anything if I said he was worse than a whole horde of goblins?"
"Vaguely."
"Ok, he slightly resembles a human from my quick glimpse with him. Oh, and he stank of dead people!"
Ilia wrinkled her nose in disgust and pushed her empty mug away from her.
"Oh, nearly forgot," he added. "Wait here!" Ilia watched him curiously as he went into the barracks next to the cafe. After a couple of minutes he came back, carrying a rather lovely box. "A present for you."
She took it from him and opened. Th inside was lined with red velvet which must have cost a bomb. But the real prize was a beautiful bow, engraved with scenes of each province: a goat for Ordona, and other aimals for the others. She gasped, admiring it's beauty before noticing a full quiver alongside it. It was woven from three different types of wood; cedar, birch and oak.
"Thank you!" she cried, hugging him tightly. "But why? I don't even know how to use one?"
Link returned the hug, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "Soon something bad will happen, and I might not be there to protect you."
That was how Bo and Rusl found them, crying in each others' arms.