"Real love is a pilgrimage. It happens when there is no strategy, but it is very rare because most people are strategists." - Anita Brooken

CH. 2

They went inside her room and Link couldn't help but let his jaw drop.

Her room was bigger than entire houses in Kakariko Village. There was an area with expensive furniture, a cherry wood dresser, a gold framed mirror, and an enormous bed that easily fit five people, with room for a dog or two.

"Oh, wow," Link breathed. "Zelda, your room is incredible." He walked over to a sofa, staring at the patterns of gold thread on it.

She motioned. "Sit and make yourself comfortable."

"I better not. It'll probably get dirty."

But she shoved him onto the sofa and sat on the opposite end. They both snuggled into the cushions, gazing at each other.

Zelda then leaned forward and hugged him tightly. "I missed you so much!"

He laughed. "The last time you saw me was just a few days ago."

"It feels like seven years."

They both sat there for a moment, arms around each other, thinking over all they'd been through: the Spiritual Stones, Ganondorf taking over, awakening each sage, and the last climatic battle on the castle ruins.

They pulled back.

"So," Link said, "it seems like no one remembers what happened with Ganon."

Zelda shook her head. "Just you and me, wielders of the Triforce. To everyone else, Ganon has just disappeared."

Link nodded, thoughtful.

"So, Navi," the princess said conversationally, "how are you doing?"

"Good!" the fairy replied, happy to be acknowledged.

"She's decided to stay with me," he said.

"Someone has to keep him out of trouble," Navi told her.

Zelda laughed. "Very true. So, what have you two been doing?"

He shrugged. "Nothing much. I hung out in Kokiri, but realized I couldn't for much longer. I'm Hylian."

She nodded. "So where will you go?"

"Dunno. I'll figure out something."

Her face lit up. "Stay here! I'll get you a room!"

Link's dark blue eyes grew wide. "What? Live in the castle?!"

She nodded, excited. "After all, you saved Hyrule, you deserve a few perks."

Link raised an eyebrow. "Are you being serious?"

"Completely."

A smile spread across his face. "Wow! Thanks!"

"Do you have everything you need?"

"Yeah, just me. Well, Epona's in Lon Lon Ranch."

Zelda stood. "Then let's go get her, we have nice stables here she can stay in."

Link also stood. "Um . . .are you suppose to leave the castle without a guard?"

"No. But that rarely stops me."

They went on to her balcony and climbed down the vines, dropping to the courtyard. They snuck easily past the guards and went out into the market.

There was a frenetic atmosphere as people scurried to and fro. It was crowded and loud, but there was also a happy feel to it.

"Want some ice-cream?" Zelda asked, fishing into her pocket.

Link's face turned red. "Oh, Zelda . . ."

She waved him off. "I'm the one with an enormous amount of money here, and I intend to spend it. I want cherry, you?"

"Chocolate."

She bought them and they headed out into Hyrule Field, licking their ice-cream.

The weather was warm, the clouds big and puffy. A breeze ruffled their blonde hair and Zelda's casual blue dress.

"Will you get in trouble?" Link asked.

She shrugged. "What are they going to do?"

They went into Lon Lon Ranch. Chickens fluttered across the ground. The house shone with new paint, and the smell of hay was coming from the barn.

Malon opened the house door, coming out. "Link! . . .Oh."

Zelda smiled in an overly-friendly manner. "Hi! Nice to meet you, I'm Princess Zelda."

Malon nodded, feeling degraded. Zelda's gold necklace sparkled in the sunlight, and she carried an air of confidence.

"Nice to meet you," Malon said with an obvious lack of enthusiasm. "I didn't know you were friends with the princess, Link."

He smiled. "Yeah . . ."

Malon noticed how close together the two stood, and that they were both holding ice-creams. She realized they had a very deep friendship.

"We came to get Epona," Link explained.

Malon nodded. "She's over there . . . I hope to see you again." It was apparent who she was speaking to.

"Yeah, definitely," he nodded.

Zelda and Link found his horse chewing on some grass. She saw them and galloped over. Link hugged her, her white mane mixing with his hair.

"She's pretty," Zelda observed. "She'll be happy in a royal stable."

He nodded. "I bet she will be."

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Zelda and Link came to the stables, their ice-cream eaten. It was cool inside, with a distinct animal aroma.

"Ricky," Zelda called.

A boy, about ten years old, looked out from the other side of a large horse. He was wearing a gray work shirt and black pants. His hair was red and messy and he had blue eyes.

"Hi, Zelda!" he smiled.

"Link," she said, "this is our stable boy, Ricky. He's in charge of all the royal horses, and my father likes him very much. Ricky, this is my friend, Link. He's gong to stay here."

Ricky's smile was friendly. "Hi, Link. It's good to meet you."

"You too," Link nodded.

"Oh," Zelda said, "and this is Link's fairy Navi."

"It's a pleasure," Navi said.

Link led Epona forward. "Epona's my horse. She's stubborn."

Ricky slowly pet her. "Oh, those are the best because they have a lot of personality."

"Will you take care of her for us?" the princess asked.

Ricky nodded. "Sure thing."

Suddenly, a shadow filled the doorway, and an angry sounding woman said, "Zelda!"

The princess turned around, guiltily smiling. "Hi, Impa."

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