Disclaimer: I don't own The Legend of Zelda.

"Oh dear… Oh dear, oh dear…"

The words softly left Zelda's lips as she stood frozen with fear.

Trapped in a dark cave, the princess' wide blue eyes were fixed fearfully to the monster that was looming in front of over her. Its hungry expression was fixed onto her, its savage intentions clear. How enormous this beast was made Zelda look very small and vulnerable in comparison - which wasn't helped by the fact she was only a little girl.

"I'm in trouble here…"

Clutching a hand to her racing heart, Zelda knew she needed help. A young princess like herself couldn't possibly deal with a huge monster like this. With her life on the line, she clearly needed the help of a hero.

Not just any hero; one that happened to be her friend.

Trying not to let her fear hold her down, Zelda took a deep breath - and yelled as hard as her little lungs would allow her to.

"LIIIIINNNNNK! HEEEEELLLLLP!"

No sooner had the princess screamed for the only one who could help her when her hero appeared. Link instantly came into view. His one hand clinging to the vine which he was using to swing from the nearby view while the other was clutching his sword.

Although he didn't utter a word about the situation he was faced with, the determined frown on Link's face said all.

He was going to rescue the princess.

Letting go of the vines, Link came down to land on the back of the monster. He brought his sword up and swung it with all his strength. The beast didn't stand a chance as Link sliced his head off, sending it flying away from its body and rolling along the ground.

Link had done it. He had completed his quest, slain the monster and saved the princess.

"My hero!"

Zelda emerged from the cave and raced up to Link. She flung her arms around him, happily embracing him tight. The young princess was so grateful to have been rescued by this brave warrior - who she was honoured to call her friend.

"Thank you for saving me, Link," she whispered. "You're the best hero that a princess could ever have to protect her."

Link smiled as he returned to hug. He listened to Zelda's words of thanks while not saying anything himself. There was no need for him to. The hero didn't need to let out any words to make it clear how much he cared about the princess. Their lifelong bond was that strong - and always would be.

"Well that was fun!" Zelda smiled as she pulled away from Link. "Let's play again!"

Letting go of Link, Zelda walked away from him to pick up the monster's severed head - or rather, the box which had served as its head. She returned it to its spot on the heaps of cardboard which the two friends had spent a long time crafting and painting to turn into a monster for their game, which they never tired of playing together in the grounds of Hyrule Castle.

Once the monster had its 'head' reattached, Zelda turned to the spare cardboard box that sat on the ground. Having spent most of the game sat inside it, she climbed up to stand on top of it instead.

"The monster had me trapped in a cave last time, so this time, he has me trapped in a tower!" Zelda told Link. "That won't be a problem for a noble hero like you, though, will it?"

Link shook his head silently. Absolutely nothing could hinder him from coming to Zelda's rescue. There wasn't anything in the world that would be able to stand in the warrior's way of saving the princess. Nothing was more important to him than the safety of his precious friend.

How little the two children knew that when they would grow up, Link would be rescuing and protecting Zelda a lot. He would facing off many beasts and fighting them off with his sword to save the princess - and in no way would it be any game…

THE END