Enjoy!

Chapter 6

Jerom turned the corner and a doctor stood outside with several other knights in front of an open door. They walked into the house. Link wasn't going to attempt to tell Zelda that she should stay outside; the amount of bodies of soldiers since the battle in Faron had grown and come in an arrangement of conditions that could tower Zelda's highest castle tower. And she had seen most if not all of them. A body that wasn't brutalized was probably going to be a first in a long time. The older general was lying on the wooden floor very dead-like... Link wasn't sure what he was expecting. He had never seen someone die of natural causes. Just arrows to faces and swords making insides out. Though a heart attack probably wasn't pleasant, the man didn't seem like he was in pain on his way out. Just peaceful. Acceptance.

Link probably wasn't going to be as fortunate to die late in life, fulfilling everything on his list. The idea of being mayor of his little town went out the window a long time ago. Now he was most likely going to die and brought out of whatever battlefield he perished on; most likely in several pieces if he was lucky. He looked over at Zelda before looking away. It would be nice to grow old with her... He shook his head and walked over to the late general. It wasn't the time to be thinking about things that weren't going to happen.

"Does the general have any family?" He asked the squire who was still at the door as he made sure that foul play wasn't involved. The morning had been rather busy in the town apparently and a doctor's judgement was good, just not good enough. They had lots of things to do and scanning a dead corpse, even that of a general, was not as thorough as he would have liked.

"No one, his son and wife died of a sickness several years back." Jerom answered.

"And the day afterward he buried his family he was promoted to commander," Zelda continued the story. "I remember the day, I was a child then, but the look of disbelief, happiness and sadness are all still in my memory."

"Yes, your highness. He was given a new hope because of the late king. He lost his family, but then he was able to defend a much larger one."

Link stood up from the General as no foul play was committed. No wonder the general looked at peace, he was going to see his family again, after all this time. A sniffle broke through his thoughts as he turned to it to find the squire. Zelda apparently noticed the sound as well and followed his movement towards the man.

"Are you alright?" Link asked. He had seen some upset soldiers and squires about their friends, but Jerom seemed more like he had lost someone precious to him.

"Sorry, Sir Link," the man sniffed trying to recompose himself. "Just, he was like my father. He taught me things that he probably would have taught to his own son, we would have been close in age. I just... I just wish this stupid war was over! Like, who do these people think they are trying to revive dead people and merging worlds, kidnapping girls, it's ridiculous! Do the courageous way and ask the girl out or if you're really that lonely get some money! Be happy with the world you live in, there is nothing wrong with this one. It's pretty cool compared to the one it's merging with. Who needs whatever Internet is anyway! And for the gods above if anyone needs to be revived it should be General Rupert! He didn't deserve to die alone, because of some failing organ!" The squire huffed as he took a breath before going red in embarrassment. "Sorry..."

"You have no need to apologize..." Zelda told him calmly. "You're right in all those reasons. Unfortunately, they have their own arguments to their actions and the resources to fulfill them."

"It's still wrong..."

"Jerom?" Link asked as the man didn't seem to be able to complete his thought. "Did you want to do something about it?"

The man seemed hesitate but nodded. "I know I'm just a squire, and I have no right to ask. But General Rupert taught me everything he knew from fighting with swords to simple strategy... Your highness, may I, in general Rupert's place, help protect this land from the devils defiling it?"

Zelda looked at Link and he nodded. They needed new recruits and one that was trained by the general himself was greatly needed. Link had fought against him before learning about Earth's existance and he was a formable foe. He took a few pointers from that battle. If Jerom was half as good, that was better than most of the knights that were going through his training combined. The queen turned to Jerom before looking out the door.

"Sir Gillian,"

A knight from outside came through the door and saluted. "Yes, your highness."

"Take Jerom when he is ready to Jason and tell him Jerom is to join the squad."

"As you wish, your highness."

"Squad?" Jerom asked.

"We are heading for a patrol, if you want to be a knight, you can join the squad and join us. Once we get back and you still wish it, I will see to it that you are knighted."

Jerom's face lit up and he nodded. "I won't let you down, your highness."

Zelda nodded and the squire left with the soldier. "It's not often we come across brave souls."

"No its not…" Link said joining her. "But I'm glad there are still some left."

"I just hope that his bravery doesn't lead him to an early grave."

"Likewise, there has been enough death. But I guess it won't matter soon enough. Whether we succeed or fail, death will decline because we won, or there won't be much left to die."

"One month, at the most if Shad is correct…" the woman in front of him said looking back outside. He followed her line of sight and saw some children playing in the street, unaware of the dead general in the house. "I believe for the future that we will succeed. If not for us, but for them. A brighter future."

"Don't talk like you're going to die…" Link told her and she turned to him. "I won't let that happen."

"I appreciate it, but I have a feeling this won't fix itself without sacrifice."

Link frowned. "I still stand by my word; you are the future of this kingdom. There will be no one else if you go and this kingdom will surely fall."

"Perhaps…"

"It is my sole duty to protect you, so prepare yourself, I will do just that. I won't let anyone hurt you."

"Thank you, Link." She told him with a smile. "I can always count on you, my hero."

"Uh well…" He looked away feeling his face get warm, she was really close to him now. "I-I try…"

She laughed slightly and took a step back. "Let's leave so we can let the doctor do his duty and preparing the body."

"R-right…" his heart was beating hard in his chest. He wasn't expecting Zelda to get so close to him, it made him nervous. Her hand grabbed his and she led him out of the house and the doctor went inside. They didn't separate until they got to the fountain and she dragged him to sit next to her. He complied and they sat in silence. People came and went eyeing them, but they didn't bug them. Not even the dog that went about the town bothered bringing Link the stick it often tried to get him to throw. Zelda started playing with the water in the fountain making ripples with her hand. He wanted to ask her what she was doing, but didn't as he just watched slightly and looked up at the sky. How could he make a promise to protect someone when he couldn't protect someone else. He took a peak at Zelda and found her looking at him.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked him and he smiled he didn't want to worry her.

"Just thinking that how nice of a day it is, perfect for a patrol."

"Really?"

"Yep,"

"You were really thinking about your promise to me."

"Ah-no… well, yes. But… stop looking at me like that…" he said looking away from her. She was giving him a stern look, one that made him very uncomfortable. "Maybe you should stay here."

"I'm going wherever you go. We both stayed up all night. I'm not going to bed until you are in bed."

"Is that so…"

"You can't tell me otherwise." She said in victory.

"Even when I have to go to the bathroom?"

"Uh…" she blushed slightly. "…Maybe not everywhere you go."

"I'll make the route as quick as possible for the both of us." He told her with a grin. "Can't have the queen fall asleep on a patrol with the new squad's first mission."

"That would be rather embarrassing."

"And they can't have their so called hero to fall asleep either… that would be even more embarrassing." He stated mostly to himself. "Probably wouldn't help moral either."

"Probably not."

"So we shall show the route to the squad leader, give them pointers, and then come back here with no incident and sleep until tomorrow morning."

"If you say it like that you know it won't happen that way."

"It's a hopeful wish."

"A hopeful wish indeed. Maybe the gods will help us in that."

"Heh, maybe. But if we can't get a nice decent rest, it would be nice for them to give us something, a sign or whatever to help us tip this war in our favor."

"Something like the location of Vaati's Bane."

"Or Dean's weakness, or… there are too many enemies at once. Too many variables." He sighed. "I believe we can get through this… but I just don't see how, yet."

"I'm sure the answer will be clear when we get there." Zelda told him. "We just need to figure out how to get from one point to the next."

"Speaking of points… I think the squad will be ready shortly. We should get ready ourselves. Maybe luck will be on our side and we will find something on the patrol."

"Is it already time to go?"

"Yeah… You can still stay you know?"

"I'm not going to stay behind. I order you to stop trying to change my mind."

He hated when she did that. He could ignore her, which he might later, but it was still annoying. Cute, but annoying and she knew it. He smirked out of her view as an idea came to him to get back at her. "Alright, your majesty."

"Let's find something to eat before we head to the castle."

"Of course, your highness."

"This is pay back for me ordering you, isn't it?"

"I have no earthly idea on what you are talking about, my queen."

"Link…"

"What is it, my liege?"

"How long are you going to keep this up?" She sounded like she was starting to get real tired of his crap.

"Keep what up, your grace?" he replied like he was clueless. He was starting to run out of titles.

"That."

"That what, my lady?"

"The titles…"

"Until I run out, my… um. Milady…"

"I guess you ran out." She sounded happy with herself. Being the intelligent queen she was, it was only a matter of time that she knew he would run out of titles by asking so many questions.

"I may have…" he sighed. "You said you wanted food, right?"

She nodded. "What are you in the mood for?"

"Anything at this point, when was the last time we ate anyway…"

"Yesterday, at breakfast I believe."

"You need to eat better." He scolded, he ate last night and figured she did as well. "You can't rule a kingdom if you starve yourself."

"I wasn't hungry until now," She huffed, her cheeks grew red for a moment. "So, what is there to eat out here?"

"Lots of stuff, cakes, nice morning meals, fruit. With all these people gathered here, there is an abundance of ideas all in a single location, hopefully our food supplies can keep to the demand."

"We should have lots for the month, but I'll send one of the commanders to check while we are out and report to me when we return."

"Good idea."