Link sighed as he rode through Hyrule Field.

It had been seven months since he had joined the Hyrulean Army.

Seven months that he'd been gone.

He said he would visit.

He hadn't. Not yet.

He thought he'd be able to.

The life of a soldier was tiring.

Ilia would be upset when he did go back.

Epona nickered quietly.

'You should pay attention, you know.'

I'm trying.

'Yeah, right.'

Link huffed and turned her around.

Zelda was expecting him.

He didn't want to see her upset.

She could get mad.

"Father, I said no! I will absolutely not marry that man!"

"Now, now, Ilia, calm down. He's not that bad."

"Not that bad?! He's a perverted idiot!"

"Ilia, I'm sure it was an accident. Am I right, Reland?"

He nodded dumbly.
No wonder this man was so desperate to find his daughter a husband.

Sable jumped onto his lap and growled.

"Ilia, is there a man that walks on the face of this earth good enough for you? Because I can guarantee you, Ilia-"

"You haven't looked at every man in the kingdom, Father. I know that for a fact."

"And do you want me to?"

"Until you find a man that actually has some common sense, yes, I want you to look at every man in the kingdom"

Bo sighed and bid Reland farewell.

"Ilia, you're so stubborn."

"And you can't see what's hidden in front of your face."

He looked at his daughter, surprised at her response. She stood up to leave.

"Father, don't even bother trying to find me a suitor anymore. You know I'm moving, and even if you try to find another I'll only turn them down. I think I've broken enough hearts for my liking."

He sighed.

If only Link were here...

Link walked over to the young recruit and gently tapped his wrist.

"You're using a rapier. Use your wrist, too. Believe me, it's a whole lot easier."

The young man nodded and Link smiled and went back to his place against the wall, watching the soldiers perform their drills over and over again.

He sighed as the sun sank below the horizon. The soldiers were dismissed for the day.

He turned and left as he headed towards the field.

Zelda came up to greet him. There were lots of rumors about the two being in love.

That didn't mean they were true.

They were just close friends. She knew this.

"Hello."

"Hey."

"Is something wrong?"

"Nah, I'm just tired."

She laughed.

"I would think that you would speak more courteously, as you are a knight and I am your princess."

He chuckled. "Some things never change."

"I must agree."

He fell silent. Suspecting that something was on his mind, she became curious. After all, he was a nineteen-year-old single young man.

"Are you thinking about her?"

"Who?"

"You know of whom I speak of."

"...Ilia?"

She nodded. She had received a letter from her a few days ago, saying that she was moving to Castle Town to work with Telma and to get away from all the young men seeking her hand. She chuckled lightly.

Link turned to her. "What?"

"Oh, nothing much. Have you heard of all the young men seeking her hand in marriage?"

"What?!"

She laughed. "She's turned down every one of them. I would think that she is waiting for you, Link."

"W-Why me?" he stuttered, turning bright red.

She only laughed again.

"We've had this conversation before, haven't we?" he said, annoyed.

"Yes, we have."

"Ilia! Hello, honey!"

Telma rushed up to the young woman and hugged her. Ilia smiled weakly.

"H-Hi, Telma."

"Oh my goodness, honey, look at you!" she said happily as she combed her fingers through Ilia's now long hair that hung in a ponytail behind her head.

"I-I grew my hair out. Do you like it?"

"Ilia, sweetie, its beautiful! Oh, wait until Link sees you! He'll be so happy!"

Ilia smiled weakly and nodded.

"Yeah, Link..."

Telma smiled and took her hand. "Well, let's get you set up, okay, honey? I cleared out a room for you upstairs."

Ilia smiled and nodded as she followed the older woman up the stairs.

Link...

She shook her head.

He's just a friend.

'And do you know how long you've been saying that, Ilia?'

I know, Sable, but...

'You love him. Admit it.'

He is my friend. And I know I love him. But he's a soldier now, a colonel and Hero. And I'm just a girl, a barmaid.

'His friend.'

A few days later, Ilia sat next to the fountain in the town square as the sun set.

She sighed as she ran her fingers through her blonde hair.

Link left the castle courtyard as the soldiers finished their training for the day.

He sat on the steps of the castle, tapping his fingers on his lap, as if playing piano.

He scanned the crowd, not looking for anyone in particular.

His eyes rested on a young woman sitting next to the fountain.

She was familiar...

Ilia sighed again as she folded her hands and put them in her lap.

"Now, what's a pretty young gal like you doin' out 'ere all alone?"

She turned in surprise.

"H-Hello." she replied shakily to the man that had addressed her. He looked at her hungrily.

"Why don't we get you somewhere safer?" he said, grabbing her wrist a little too tightly.

She cried out in pain quietly.

"P-Please, I-I'm fine."

"Naw, come on. You shouldn't be alone," he said, pulling her closer.

Link got up and came up to them. Ilia looked at him in surprise. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He tapped the man on the shoulder, and when he turned, he took hold of his thumb and pulled it backwards. There was a sickening crack and the man cried out in pain as he let go of her wrist. Everyone stopped and turned around the see what was going on.

"Why, you-" the man said, nursing his broken thumb. He froze mid-sentence as he realized who he was speaking to.

Link took a step towards him, and he ran.

He stumbled backwards slightly as Ilia wrapped her arm around his neck.

"Thank you, Link."

It was at that moment when he realized who this woman was.

"Ilia..."

She sighed and let him go. He smiled sheepishly, knowing what would follow.

She slapped him.

"You JERK! Where were you?! It's been SEVEN MONTHS! SEVEN FREAKIN' MONTHS! You said you would visit, but I haven't seen you once!"

"Actually, Zelda's giving me a break in a few months."

She nodded and slapped him again.

Link only smiled again and pecked her cheek. She blushed heavily and turned around.

"D-Don't act like that! You know it bothers me!"

He only laughed.

"So, tell me. What reason do you have to possibly come here of all places?"

She smiled and turned back around, telling him of everything that had happened over the past seven months.

She had to admit, Sable was right.

She was in love.