Chapter 4: What happens now?

Ilia sat in her home, shaking in fear. The soldier's rounded up the people of Ordon, and kept them in one location, singling out a few people. She had two guards towering on either side of her. Her heart was pounding as she waited. The door opened, and in walked the Princess Zelda, her graceful movement making Ilia's jaw slightly drop. "Hello Ilia." Zelda said kindly, pulling up a chair and sitting across from her. "You can leave." She said to the guards. The bowed, and left, leaving Ilia and the Princess alone. The light shone through the glass window, cutting through the dust as it covered the princess's face. "Ilia...we need to know where Link is." She said, placing her hand on Ilia's. Ilia swallowed hard. "Your highness...I...I can't...I don't know where Link is." She said slowly. Zelda smiled. "I know you're loyal to him. But he needs to be put in check. It's best for him if you tell me where he went." Ilia looked down. "I'm sorry." She said, and turned away.

A young Stark packed his water bottle, lacing up his boots tightly, before standing up and looking in the mirror. His beard was barely growing, something he had wished would be greater. "Are you ready, dear?" His wife, Anna, said to him, appearing from behind, resting her hand on him. "I've waited a long time for this moment." He said, a grin on his face. His wife laughed. "It's not every day that you enter the Knight Academy, we should drink before you go." She said sweetly, kissing his cheek. He laughed loudly. "Of course!" They opened their finest wine, and drank over a meal, quietly joking about what he'd do in the Hylian Army. Stark signed up 3 minutes after Link gave his speech, inspired to become a hero like the Emerald Knight. The next day, they arrived at the academy, where Stark would stay for the remainder of his duties. His wife could visit him, but wouldn't live with him. Their goodbye was lengthy, and full of tears. "You be safe, okay?" "Of course, ma'am."

After his 2 of training, he was able to come home early to his wife, and, as he'd learned months ago, be able to witness the birth of his son. He couldn't be happier seeing his wife again, and being there for her during childbirth. He was given the standard 6 months of leave to help his wife, with an additional 3 given to him specifically from Princess Zelda herself, who was impressed by his abilities, and befriended the soldier. At heart, all Stark wanted to do was help his wife, because he had looked forward to raising a family for years. His son, Maxis, was his joy, and his life, and he dedicated every spare moment to the baby. As the months went on, a letter arrived, informing Stark he'd be leaving for War. Though he dreaded it, he had promised the Princess to do whatever duty given to him after the extra 3 months, if it was janitor duty, or guard duty. And when the day arrived, Anna strapped Maxis to her back, and rode out with Stark. "Do you know where you're even going?" She said, her voice breaking. "Holodrum." He said, looking ahead. "You'd better come back!" Anna yelled, tears running down her cheek. Stark stopped his horse, leaning down to her. "My love...no tears. Of course I'll come back. I know who my general is...he's a good man." "W-what's his name...?" "Link."

Stark woke up from his dream suddenly. Link and his crew sat sleeping in the Snowpeak Ruins, all tired from the days of travelling. Link couldn't sleep however, and sat thinking. "What is this?" He said to himself. "Is this a war? Or just an argument?" He stood up, and walked to the window, staring out into the cold. Stark walked behind him. "I couldn't sleep either." He said. "What do you think it's going to come to?" Link took a moment. "I don't know. At this point, we're just running. We're not showing Hyrule that we're heroes. Running is the work of cowards, and that, we are not." Stark nodded. "What do you suggest we do?" Link looked down. "I'm going to have to incapacitate Zelda." Stark gasped. "Link, you can't be serious! That's completely out of something you'd do, you can't-" "I have no choice! You don't understand, Stark. Zelda is wise, but stubborn, and she may stop at nothing for my capture. She's not power mad, but she may end up harming one of you to find me. She wouldn't hurt the innocents, but she may hurt us. I have to either stop, her, or..." Stark's eye brow raised. "Or..?" "Turn myself in." Stark laughed. "Well, guess we head for the castle then." Link smiled. "Thank you, Stark. You've been with me through the worst. And I think you'll be with me through the best, too. If this...Civil War..ever ends, I'll repay you. I have some property out in Odron, Anna would love it, and little Maxis will too." Stark looked fondly out the window. "Let's hope we get out of this, then. Maybe if we-" A piece of wood fell from the ceiling, and Link caught it in mid air. "Wait..." he said, looking up. The floor above him creaked, and he instantly leaped back, grabbing his belt and sword, running by Rusl and Darbus and waking them up, but putting his finger to his lips to silence them. Stark grabbed his spear, and ran besides Link, knowing exactly what was happening. In a single moment, the center of the room exploding into fire, the ceiling collapsing as a group of heavily armored soldiers leaped down, firing arrows at Link, who expertly dodged. Darbus ran at the group, but was suddenly flung back by an unseen force. Link looked in horror as the familiar design of Zelda's dress flew down, landing on her feet, facing Link angrily. Link drew his sword, and scowled. Zelda rose her hands, a circle of magic swirling around them. "Stand down now, Link." "Make me."

WOW! Did that just happen? What even happened? Why am I asking you, *I* know what's going to happen! xD I am really, really proud of this little cliffhanger, and I really hope whoever's reading will write a little review, telling me what you think is going to happen. It's gonna get really exciting and twisty soon, and I can tell you this, if you didn't already know it...next chapter will have team Zelda facing off against team Link...which basically means Link and Zelda fighting. Maybe Team Link wins, maybe they don't. Who knows? Oh, wait..I do. :D Maybe someone from team Zelda changes sides...

Anyways, thank you to my reviewers nintendoer27, RaidenFarore, NordeNayru, (No Din? ;-;) and msx. Your encouragement is awesome! Please review, and stay tuned for chapter 5...of the Hyrule Civil War.