"Hey." Link said as he approached the spring.. Ilia, who was petting Epona's mane, spun around. She smiled.

"Hi Link...I'm glad you're doing okay...I was really worried about you, until that Goron said you'd be fine."

Awkward silence.

"How did you get here?"

"I, um, followed you out to Hyrule Field." Ilia said sheepishly. "But you and Epona galloped so fast I couldn't keep up. After walking for awhile I saw Epona by the bridge. I climbed on and rode around for awhile, looking for you. You had collapsed by that weird black fire, and I didn't know what to do till that Goron came along. He led me back here, and took you up to Death Mountain.

" You tailed me into Hyrule Field?! What were you thinking? You don't know how to protect yourself from those Moblins. You didn't even have a weapon!"

"Actually...I did." Ilia held out the Hero's Bow and some arrows. "I kinda took it from your house. Sorry. You guys killed most of them, but the couple I did see I shot. Um...here." She handed the bow back to Link, looking guilty.

"What about your dad? Does he know you're here?" Link demanded.

"Yeah...Renado sent him a letter...boy, I'm in for it when I get home." She groaned.

"I wonder why." Link said sarcastically. "Ilia, you could have been killed."

"I'm sorry, I really am, it's just-"

"Just what?!"

"I had to find out!" Ilia sobbed out. " Before you leave on a really long journey and put yourself in danger again! What if you died and I never knew? I wouldn't be able to handle not knowing!"

Link's eyes widened at the sight of his friend in that state. Ilia was shaking uncontrollably, hands over her face, kneeled on the ground.

"What do you mean? Not knowing what? None of this is making sense." Link said, a bit more softly. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder and kneeled down next to her. "Listen, just-"

He was interrupted when Ilia grabbed his shoulders and kissed him, full on the mouth. She broke the kiss after a few moments and looked at Link. He had a hurt expression on his face, one of shock and confusion, betrayal and sadness. Those deep blue orbs held pain. At that moment Ilia knew.

Link didn't love her the way she did. Her green eyes filled again with tears. She turned away and stood up.

"I'm sorry, Link, I-I needed to know what you felt about me."

Link slowly stood up. He was silent for a moment.

"It's ok. I needed to know, too."

And he did.

He turned her back around and hugged her. Using his thumb, he wiped the tears off her cheek.

"I need to leave now."He whispered. "Don't worry about me. I've been given a mission by princess Zelda. It's a matter of life and death and I need to complete it. And soon. I have to find the Treasure of the Sheikah, and-"

"The treasure of the Sheikah?! Wait, I know where that is!" Ilia's now clear green eyes widened.

"Seriously?" Link asked, shocked. Of all people, Ilia knew of this...thing, that he or the Gorons had no clue about?

"Yeah...when I was staying with that kind old woman, she mentioned it. Remember? Impaz? It was this really pretty old harp. She had it hung on a wall. She told me it had been passed down through her village and family, and had special properties."

Link thought for a bit. It sounded interesting, but there was a possibility Ilia could be wrong, or the harp wouldn't be what he was looking for. And what about the whole "twin" thing Zelda has said? It's worth a shot, Link thought, however long.

"Ok, thanks Ilia. Listen, I'm not quite sure if this is what I'm looking for." Link mounted Epona. "But at least I'll-"

Link was overcome by a strange cold feeling. Once again, he unwillingly closed his eyes and fell into a deep black darkness. Not again, he thought I have...to...find it...He felt himself hit the ground and heard Ilia scream. Sounds faded away to silence.

And yet, it was still unbearably loud.

--

Ugh.

The things authors do for their work.

I feel like I've just written the script for friggin' teenage drama flick. Writing this was so mushy-gushy-wishey-washey. I prefer less obvious romance. Let me know what ya'll think. If this chapter sucked, let me know and I'll never type anything like this again.

I felt like it fit into the story though. Though I support Ilia and Link being great friends, I don't support them having any romantic interest in each other. That might have been kinda obvious by now, hm?

Also, I'll be really busy this week(I help out with a junior day camp from 8AM-4pm) so I may take a bit longer updating. Today was the first day, it was really tiring. You want a room destroyed? Give 50 kids a dozen boxes of macaroni, some glue and ribbon and let them at it. is sarastic

I'll stop complaining now.

-peaches732