Wow, I'm finally committing to a multi-chapter. This is a very slightly AU set in Twilight Princess. There will be little to no OCs in this story. Most characters used will be official LoZ characters from games such as, but not limited to, Twilight Princess, The Wind Waker, Majora's Mask, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, Ocarina of Time and Link's Awakening. In case you're unfamiliar with some of the characters used, I'll list the character's I've used and the games that they are from at the end of each chapter. Summary:

Over two years after the salvation of Hyrule and the Twilight Realm, the kingdoms are at peace. However, peace does not last long, and Zelda has a prophetic nightmare. War is waged, and Link is called to battle. Zelda must take on a new identity to keep herself safe. Will she realize her feelings under such dire circumstances? Will a certain mysterious warrior's identity be revealed? Or will kingdoms fall into chaos?

I hope you enjoy it!

-Axanie

Hyrule, Faron Province, Faron Woods

The blue-eyed beast. The elegantly beautiful and dangerous creature stalks its prey silently, swiftly. Carefully dashing about the forest, he growls happily when he spots her. She walks around gracefully, soaking in the light of the sunset in the pristine and lush forest. She tenses up at the breeze that curls and uncurls her auburn hair, but she relaxes is unaware that the beast stalks her, inching closer and closer. She is unguarded. She is alone. She is vulnerable. The beast waits silently and pounces without warning, knocking the girl to the ground. He has caught her. He growls triumphantly.

"It took you longer this time," She says plainly. "Link." The beast whines, and suddenly his form is surrounded by a dark, pulsing energy. It is silent for a moment, and as the darkness recedes, in the place of the wolf is a man.
"It is never too difficult to find you, princess," He teases playfully as he stands, brushing the dirt from his tunic. The man is tall, with messy blonde hair and ice-blue eyes. He wears a forest-green tunic and hat, the traditional garb of the Hylian heroes of old. He is handsome, courageous and selfless. He's saved this kingdom once, and he would not hesitate to do it again.
The woman scowls disapprovingly. "Please, Link," She says. "Do call me by my name. I should think you know me well enough,"
He chuckles, helping the princess to her feet. "Very well, Zelda," He says.
"I must be back at the castle by sundown," She explains, glancing westward. "A banquet is being held for the diplomats and nobles of surrounding kingdoms,"
"I would accompany you," He says, "but I'm not sure your company would have me." Zelda frowned.
"Of course they would, Link," she replies. "As if they would not allow the Hero of Twilight to join us-"
"It's fine, Zelda." he says. "Besides, your knights have summoned me for an archery lesson." he smirks.

Zelda giggles."None in the kingdom could best you in archery, Hero." Link smiles at her praise.

"You have come close princess. You're the only one." He says, and the princess blushes.
Link whistles for his horse with three simple and familiar notes and the agile mare comes galloping down the forest path.
"To the castle, then," Link says as he helps the princess onto his steed. She holds his waist tightly and the horse starts off towards the castle.

Hyrule, Lanayru Province, Hyrule Castle

"Which dress for this evening, m'lady?" One of Zelda's attendants called from her large wardrobe, holding out several intricate gowns in many colours.
"The green one, please." The princess responded absentmindedly, fiddling with her damp hair. Two other attendants already began working on braiding it, while the other prepared her dress. Another simply scolded her for fidgeting. It did not take long for Zelda to be lost in her thoughts. It never did.
Peace was among the kingdoms of Hyrule, Termina, and all the islands across the Great Sea, and Hyrule had prepared an extravagant banquet for the leaders and nobles of the kingdoms and their families. Link is never one for such ornate festivities, the princess mused as her hair was decorated intricately. Soon she dressed in a delicate pine green gown with an aureate pale blue and white trim. She studied her reflection carefully, silently. The woman that looks back at her is regal, dignified, even beautiful. For tonight, she would be this woman.

Zelda often enjoyed the company of the royals of the surrounding kingdoms, save for the several overly arrogant diplomats she had the displeasure of associating with. She put on a smile and descended the staircase to the main hall, where the fresh food was already set out and dancing had already begun. She was greeted by countless nobles whom she wished she was not obliged to speak with whose conversations bored her, but she expertly made polite idle chat with each one.
"Zellie!" She heard from behind her from the crowd. The voice belonged to a young duchess of Termina, Aveil, of whom Zelda was especially fond.
"Avvie!" She exclaimed, embracing the young noble. "It's been much too long. How are you?"

Aveil sighed in mock distress. "Termina is doing fine, but that stuffy prince from Koholint- you know the one, Zellie - has been pining for me endlessly." The duchess paused to bite a strawberry. "He constantly sends gifts. It's sweet, but honestly, the man cannot take a hint that I wish to be left alone! Oh, I do hope he does not see me tonight,"

Zelda simply giggled. Aveil had always been somewhat aggressive, but even an egotistical prince could not take a hint when she told him to shove off. "How is your brother, the duke?" she asked as they walked about the hall arm in arm.
"Oh, my brother Viscen is doing quite fine!" Aveil's grin turned quite sinister. "You know, Zellie, he asks about you often," Zelda blushed. Viscen was quite an excellent ruler, kind as well as quite handsome. It was no secret that maidens from across both and desired him.
"Does he?" Zelda rarely, if ever considered marriage for diplomacy, let alone any kind of attraction.
"He does," Aveil replied playfully. I do hope you'll greet him before the eve's festivities are over?"
"Of course, Avvie." Zelda smiled at her friend as she took a small cake from a passing server's tray.
"Have you spoken to Medli?" Aveil asked after a moment.
"I haven't, regrettably..." Zelda responded. Medli was a princess of the Rito of the Great Sea, and another dear friend to Zelda and Aveil. "She sent her gratitude, but was unable to attend because of a problem on the island," the princess continues,
"Oh, dear, there's that desperate old derision of a prince." Aveil said suddenly. "We'll speak later, Zellie. Enjoy yourself!" She rushed off and disappeared into the crowd.

The night went smoothly, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the abundance of food, dancing and altogether pleasant company. Zelda herself felt exhausted. She wandered silently in her garden, taking in the fresh and cool night air. Tiny drops of dew made the beautiful plants glisten in the moonlight and Zelda relaxed in the midnight spring breeze.

"Out so late, Princess?" a familiar voice came from behind the shrubbery.

"I could ask you the same, Hero. I should think you'd be tired after teaching archery to a hundred and one soldiers all evening." Zelda half-teased. The Hero emerged from the shadows, grinning playfully.
"You should remember just who you're speaking to, Zelda."
Zelda simply smiled. Of course, she knew. She knew his courage and endurance was unmatched, his ability positively unequaled. But the young princess could not help but worry for her Hero.
"Did I miss much?" He asked. He was, of course, not in truth interested, but he liked to hear Zelda talk about it.

"Oh, Link, the food was utterly wonderful! I fear my dress may not accommodate me in the morning." Link chuckled lightly. "Everyone was quite pleasant," she remarked, then suddenly laughed. "That priggish prince of Koholint wishes for Aveil, the Duchess of Termina! The poor girl..."

Link simply smiled and gazed at the princess as she continued. She was beautiful, he always knew, and wise and kind. "What did you say?" he said suddenly, realizing he had not been paying her attention for some time.

"I said that Viscen, the Duke of Termina, has apparently been... interested in me for some time. Aveil his sister is certain he is smitten with me."

Link stayed silent for a single moment, expertly hiding the disappointment in his eyes. "I see," He said simply.

"Since I am not required to marry until I take over my father, the King's throne, I have not really considered it," She continued. "but I think a diplomatic marriage of Hyrule and Termina would be... mutually beneficial." she said quietly, glancing in Link's eyes briefly.

"Diplomacy?" he asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "And..." his voice faltered, his gaze locked to the cobblestone ground. "What of love?"

Zelda was startled, but looked thoughtful. "Love?" she repeated.

Silence fell upon the two.

"I'm terribly sorry, Princess. It was not in my business to ask," Link turned on his heel promptly. "I shall see you tomorrow," he said without looking back.

Zelda gazed almost longingly at the Hero as he retreated. What of love? The words echoed. Her hand over her heart, she left the garden silently and her feet carried her to her room. She dressed in her nightgown and stared fixedly at her own reflection as she absentmindedly braided her hair. A simple yet absorbing question had her lost within her mind.

What of love?

Well? How was it? Did you enjoy? I'm going to try and make each chapter approximately the same length (about 1400 words). Will be updated every week, on Friday evenings. See that review button? It needs to be pressed to feed its family. Go on, press it.

Aveil - Majora's Mask

Viscen - Majora's Mast

Prince Richard (the one that has a crush on Aveil) - Link's Awakening

Uploaded on 3/7/2013, 10:30pm, North American Eastern Time