Thanks for the reviews everyone! I hope you enjoy this short and sweet chapter. This is finally the chapter that progresses the story to the point of the summary. Hehe...

"…the youngest queen in Hyrule history!"

"Well, the youngest single queen. Don't forget fertile Myrtle…"

"Ugh…married at thirteen—to a forty-four year old man, no less—and had twelve children by the time she was thirty years of age. We would all do well to forget Myrtle."

"Those were different times, I suppose. But today is different now, too! Historically, princesses are not named queen until they are at least twenty-five years of age."

"Yes…but we have never seen a princess like Zelda until now. Wouldn't you say so, Sir Link?"

Link continued to push his food around on his plate for a moment before looking up at one of the Elders eating at the table with him. The ceremony-turned-feast had separated Link and Zelda to different tables, each with a handful of Elders to keep discussion boring.

Truth be told, Link was glad to be separated from Zelda. He didn't know if he would be able to sit through a whole meal with her next to him without going crazy. As it was, he was having a hard time eating anything or listening to the conversation.

"Sorry, what did you ask me?"

"Ha!" the Elder exclaimed. "The poor boy is in shock. It seems as though you have made history as well, Link. First shepherd to become Commander of Hyrule military that I can recollect. Anyways, the question was, 'would you say there has ever been a princess quite like Zelda?'"

The answer was simple. "No. And I highly doubt there will ever be a woman or queen like her again."

Link decided he had had enough. He needed to get out. He needed fresh air. He needed…

"Epona…" Link found himself saying, several minutes later. He had made his way outside of the castle and called Epona to him. He hadn't seen her since he entered the Dark Land to rescue Zelda. Link shook his head, trying to clear his head of Zelda. The great horse galloped nearer, and Link could hardly wait to go riding through Hyrule field.

Soon enough, he was flying through Castle Town, which was relatively quiet this evening. The sun set behind him as Link galloped across the drawbridge. He would likely have to camp in the field tonight because he didn't plan on returning before they brought the bridge up. Link slowed Epona down to a nice trot and looked around him, enjoying the beautiful land in which he lived.

"It's okay, Zelda," Link said. "I broke Epona two years ago, and you couldn't find a better horse in all of Hyrule."

Zelda approached Epona, hand held out to pet her nose. When she made contact, Epona pressed into Zelda's hand. Link was surprised. It took most people hours with Epona before she would warm up to them. Then again, Zelda wasn't most people.

"You want to take her for a spin before we start off to Goron Mountain?"

Zelda turned to Link with hopeful eyes. "Oh could we? I was hoping we could get to know each other before the long ride."

Link smiled and nodded. "I'll make us some lunch. Don't wear her out too much though. We've got a long day ahead of us."

Zelda mounted Epona expertly and with a few whispers and tug at the reins, they were off. Link gazed after her for a while longer than he meant to. It had been two weeks, yet Link was still figuring out who this princess was. Originally, he had expected a somewhat spoiled, entitled, beautiful brat to be accompanying him. He only got one description right. The princess was actually a capable and humble woman.

She had slept on hard rocks, in cold tents without a complaint. She had eaten flavorless food and dirty water without a word about the cooks of the Castle—except when prompted by Link. She had traveled day after day in the hot sun—often in disguise—to find the origin of Ganondorf and the keys to his destruction without ever being deterred from her mission. She obtained the Triforce of Wisdom, and Link knew she deserved it, the way she led them through the confusing Forest Temple. All the while, she continually expressed abundant appreciation to Link and constantly told him he didn't need to help her and could return to his home if he wished.

Link would not leave her, however. Not only had he promised the King to keep her safe, but now he wanted to as her friend. He cared for Zelda and wouldn't want any harm to befall her.

Such were Link's musings as he cooked lunch. After half an hour had passed, Zelda returned with a large smile on her face. "You're right," she said. "Epona is the greatest horse in all of Hyrule." Epona neighed affectionately. "It is clear you have trained her with love."

"It's easy to love that horse," Link smiled. "Lunch is ready. And I am happy to say that this rabbit stew is looking mighty fine."

Lunch tasted great as well. As they ate, Zelda asked, "So where did you find Epona, Link?"

Link hesitated for a moment. He was not one to speak of his accomplishments, so he vaguely responded, "I found her in the forest near my home."

"And you just caught her and broke her?" Zelda inquired, curious.

Hesitating again, Link finally said, "Well, she was already caught…and she practically broke herself."

Zelda's eyebrows were furrowed in confusion. "Already caught?

Link sighed softly. "You remember when the goblins came into Hyrule a few years back and caused a bunch of trouble? Well, I was walking through the forest when I found Epona caged and a few goblins were starting a fire, talking about eating her.

"I grew up with a great respect for horses. They are beautiful and loyal creatures. So it didn't sit right with me that she would be made someone's meal.

"When I approached the goblins, trying to make a trade for a couple of sheep or something, they attacked me. So I defended myself and freed Epona. She's been loyal to me ever since."

Zelda shook her head slowly. "The goblins were taken care of by my father over six years ago. You must have been twelve years old! How many goblins were there?"

"I don't kno—"

"Link," Zelda said knowingly and warningly, raising her eyebrows at me.

"Seven," Link answered, and Zelda gasped. Link hurriedly explained, "They were weak from lack of food, I guess. And they stupidly attacked one at a time. Perhaps their pride was the reason they fell."

Zelda continued to shake her head slowly. "And that's the reason why you will never fall, Link. You're so gifted, but you don't acknowledge it."

Link gave a short laugh. "Speak for yourself, Zelda. I never could have gotten through that forest temple without you."

Zelda blushed slightly and looked down. "Sure you could have. You would have just used your sword a lot more and would be very sore right now."

They laughed together as they finished their meal and began packing up for the trip ahead of them. After saddling up Epona, Link hopped on her back and helped Zelda up behind him. She snaked her hands around his waist as they took off towards Goron Mountain, and Link smiled softly to himself.

Link was approaching Hyrule Lake and found himself holding his stomach where Zelda's hands had held him that day. He remembered the way her body pressed up against his and she would hold her breath when they jumped over obstacles or waded through the river. He shook his head once more, trying to rid himself of the thought of her. He hopped off Epona and gathered some stones.

As he began skipping rocks, he thought of the contest Zelda had created of who could make more skips. He had let her win because he liked the way she teased him and gloated jokingly. Link angrily threw the handful of stones he had into the lake and shouted, "Is there no freedom from your memory!"

He sat down on the ground and let out a long sigh. "Of course there isn't," he whispered to himself. "You're everywhere."

Link fell onto his back and looked up at the stars, finding the constellations he had showed Zelda as they lay side by side one starry night…

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