Chapter 1- MISSING

Chapter 2

     Zelda felt extremely tired the next morning, due to the fact that she'd lain awake worrying for the better part of the previous night. However she forced herself to get up knowing that Nick would be paying them a visit sometime soon, and most probably today. Sprite flew into Zelda's room, looking extremely happy. "Good morning!" she said brightly .

     "I wish," Zelda replied, rubbing her eyes in an attempt to stay awake. Sprite didn't notice the Princess's sombre mood.

     "Wow, I had such a great time last night! Carrie introduced me to this guy, Cornelius, except he just likes to be called Con, and the party was just fabulous!" she said excitedly.

     "Party?" Zelda enquired, sorting through her dresses.

     "Don't you remember? It was the autumn ball! We have it every year, remember, you and Link saw us all celebrating last year!" Sprite said, grinning.

     "Oh yeah… I remember," Zelda answered, choosing a wine red gown and holding it up against herself in the mirror.

     "Well, this year it was even better. And Con, he has an identical twin brother called Vladimar, I think their parents like weird names," the faerie giggled.

     "They're not any worse than my name," Zelda remarked. She'd always wished her parents had named her something else, the tradition of calling every female first born heir Zelda seemed completely stupid to her. She had already vowed that she would never subject her own children to the same torture. Sprite just laughed.

     "Anyway, Carrie is going to date Vlad, and I'm going to date Con. The worst thing is though, we still can't tell the difference!" she exclaimed.

     "I'm sure you'll be able to sooner or later," Zelda answered, smiling slightly. The faerie's cheerful mood was almost infectious.

     "I sure hope so! I would be so embarrassed if I got them muddled up!" Sprite replied. Zelda got changed into the dress, then began on her hair.

     "So where's Link?" the faerie asked, zapping Zelda's hairbrush playfully, so that it flew out of her hands.

     "Sprite!" Zelda said in mock anger. She bent down to retrieve the hairbrush, still speaking. "Link's trying to retrieve the Triforce of Power from Ganon. He's been gone since yesterday morning," the Princess explained.

     "By himself?" Sprite enquired.

     "I assume so. Perhaps some of the others accompanied him; Selina didn't come back here last night, so I figured she might be with him," Zelda replied, placing her silver circlet on top of her hair. Sprite grinned mischievously.

     "Selina, eh? Aren't you a bit worried?" Zelda lightly swatted at Sprite with her hairbrush.

     "That's no funny! Besides, I know that I'm the one he's in love with," she said, smiling. Sprite just chuckled, and flew to one side of Zelda. "Come on, I do want to be on time for breakfast. Nick shall probably be arriving soon," Zelda said, opening her bedroom door and walking down the stairs.

     Sprite continued chatting as they walked to the Banquet Hall. "My sister was being so facetious last night. She just thinks she's so funny! Well, I certainly wasn't laughing anyway," she said.

     "Fleur isn't that bad, I mean I bet she looks up to you really," Zelda replied.

     "As if!" Sprite declared. Zelda just smiled, and walked into the Banquet Hall. The table was already set for breakfast, and the King and Fenella were seated there.

     "Good morning dear, Sprite," the King said as the two entered the room. Zelda smiled, and took her place at the table.

     "Good morning Your Majesties," Sprite said politely, sitting on the edge of the table next to Zelda.

     "Is Prince Nicolas arriving today?" Zelda inquired.

     "I believe so," the King nodded.

     "Faye is so excited about meeting him! To think, a king to be is interested in my daughter!" Fenella exclaimed. Zelda felt like saying, I can't imagine why, but she kept her mouth shut. Instead, she smiled at Fenella and said,

     "Nicolas is an extremely wonderful person. I'm sure you shall both enjoy meeting him."

     "Yes, that's quite right. The prince is a very good friend of the Kingdom already, but if he did marry Fayette, that would make our alliance even stronger," the King added. Zelda sighed. It seemed to her that half the time, people just got married so that their two countries would remain on speaking terms. Didn't anyone marry for love anymore? Fayette stepped into the room, wearing a particularly tasteful purple gown. Her hair was immaculately curled and her make-up perfect. Zelda could certainly tell that her sister-to-be was dressed to impress.

     "Good morning everyone!" she called out as she walked across to the table.

     "Good morning dear. My, don't you look pretty this morning?" Fenella said brightly. Sprite made a face at Zelda, and the princess tried hard to stop herself from giggling.

     "Well, I do have to look my best mother. After all, I do want to make a good impression on Prince Nicolas!" Fayette replied, sitting down next to Fenella. The King glanced out of the window.

     "Why, I believe this is him now," he said, seeing a man riding through the courtyard. Fayette suddenly looked nervous, and Zelda grinned.

     "What's so funny?" Fayette asked.

     "Is that her favourite saying?" Sprite whispered. Zelda smiled at the faerie then looked across at Fayette.

     "I'm not laughing at anything. I just felt like smiling," she replied. Fayette was about to retort, when the King asked where Link was.

     "He's still in Saria, I assume," Zelda replied.

     "He said something about trying to steal the Triforce of Power back from Ganon," she added.

     "I see. Well, I do hope he's being careful," the King replied. Aaron walked into the room, along with Drake.

     "Father, you worry too much. You know he'll be just fine," Zelda replied, laughing a little.

     Damon, Dion, Charles and Impa also arrived, taking their seats. A messenger walked into the room. "Your Majesties and friends. May I please present - His Royal Highness, Prince Nicolas of Dalsona!" Nick stepped in, looking rather embarrassed. He grinned at Zelda and Drake, then sat down at the table at the spare place across from Fayette.

     "Welcome to North Castle again, Nicolas," the King greeted.

     "Thank you. I'm glad to be here," Nick replied, smiling round.

     "I hope you had a good journey," Zelda said sweetly, jumping in before Fayette had the chance.

     "Well, the sea was a little turbulent, but no, it wasn't at all bad," he answered. "Oh yes, and I must congratulate you and Link on your engagement. Where is Link, by the way?" Nick added, looking around for his friend.

     "He's gone to Death Mountain. We're after Ganon's Triforce, for it seems likely he may complete the Triforce of Wisdom soon. We need to have the upper hand," Zelda explained.

     "Oh, and thanks. We're very happy about it too," she added, smiling.

     "I always suspected you had a thing for each other," Nick replied, his eyes twinkling. Zelda just smiled wryly, and Sprite giggled.

     "Prince Nicolas, this is my daughter, Fayette," Fenella said quickly, not feeling very happy that all of the prince's attention seemed to be on Zelda.

     "Oh yes, of course. I'm very pleased to meet you, Lady Fayette," Nick said warmly, smiling at the pretty girl who was seated across from him.

     "Me too, Prince Nicolas," she replied in a shy tone.

     "Call me Nick. It's much more informal," Nick replied, smiling at Fayette again.

     "Oh, okay," Fayette replied, still looking shy.

     "Nick, how's it going back in Dalsona, old friend?" Drake asked. "Simply wonderful, my friend. My Father's men just discovered a new diamond mine, and we're using the money to build a beautiful new schoolroom and houses for one of our poorer villages," Nick replied.

     "How wonderful. I wish we could afford to do such things here, but Hyrule simply hasn't got the resources. Especially not since most of the tax money is used to repair the damage Ganon and his monsters cause," the King said sadly.

     "Yes, I heard that Ganon burnt Saria to the ground. I ran into Selina last night in Mido and she told me all about it," Nick replied.

     "Yes, a simply terrible business. He even attempted to siege the castle. I don't know what I'd have done without my wonderful men," the King replied.

     "And of course, Charles helped out marvellously. I do believe neither of you have met," the King added, gesturing at Charles. Nick smiled at Charles.

     "Nick of Dalsona," he said, leaning over the table to shake the man's hand.

     "Charles of Lemmink," Charles replied, accepting the handshake.

     "Why, you do look familiar!" Nick exclaimed. Charles suddenly realised he had also met Nick before, several years previously.

     "I don't think we've met," he answered. Nick grinned.

     "I suppose I meet so many people, I get them muddled up!" he said good-naturedly.

     "Our Charles is a dragon hunter, and a might fine one at that!" Drake praised. Charles smiled modestly.

     "We do get a lot in Lemmink, so I'm well practised," he said.

     "I once saw a dragon in Sosaria before!" Fayette piped up, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.

     "Ooh, was it big and scary?" Drake enquired, laughing.

     "It tried to attack Evian, that's Sosaria's capital you know, but luckily, Lord Richard's men managed to kill it before it did any real damage," Fayette explained. At that moment, breakfast arrived. Zelda wished it was over already. Fayette was already getting very tiresome. The bad feeling she'd had from the night before still hadn't diminished either, and she wondered if she should set off for Death Mountain herself. Then again, it was unlikely that her Father would let her go. Sighing, she settled down to eat her meal, barely listening to the lively chatter around her.

     As Zelda stepped out into the passage after breakfast, a messenger stopped her. "Your Highness, a letter for Master Link. Could you please keep it for him, until he returns?" the messenger asked. Zelda nodded, and took the note. Opening it, she discovered that it was in invitation to Hayden's funeral, that was to be held in Ruto the following week. I hope that he gets back soon, she thought, folding the piece of paper back up. She began to walk up to her room, then decided against it. Instead, she walked through the Great Hall and went up the main stairs to the third floor, where Impa's quarters where. She still felt troubled from the night before, and often, Impa could usually come up with an explanation, or at least comfort her. She knocked on the door, then stepped into Impa's cosy rooms. She'd always loved them as a child, and still did now.

     "I'll be just a moment," Impa called. Zelda took a seat, and waited for her old nursemaid to finish whatever she was doing. Impa walked over, and smiled warmly at Zelda.

     "Hello Princess. Are you okay?" she asked, seeing Zelda's downcast expression.

     "Well…" Zelda began, fiddling with the tassel on the nearby cushion.

     "Wait a moment. I've made some elderberry juice, and some shortbread. I think that's just the thing to get you smiling again," the Hylian woman suggested. Zelda smiled slightly.

     "Thanks Impa, you're the best," she said. Impa smiled, then disappeared to get the treat.

     She soon returned, with a big jug of elderberry juice, two cups and a huge plateful of shortbread. Zelda took some, and grinned. "How come you've always just made biscuits whenever me or Link come and see you?" she asked, taking a long drink of the delicious juice.

     "Ah, that's my little secret," Impa smiled. Zelda took a bite of the shortbread, which was as delicious too. "Now, what's up? I don't like to see my princess looking so sad," Impa said.

     "I'm not sure really. It was just last night, I was getting this really bad feeling, but I don't know why," Zelda replied, taking some more shortbread.

     "I'm not surprised. I think many of us feel that Ganon's up to no good," Impa said, giving Zelda a small hug.

     "But I'm so worried! If he completes the Triforce of Wisdom, then…" the Princess began.

     "Don't worry about it so. Link will make sure that it doesn't happen, just you trust him and everything will be fine," Impa reasoned. Zelda fiddled nervously with her engagement ring, then looked up.

     "But Impa, it's so dangerous! What if Ganon captures him, or he gets in some other trouble?" she exclaimed.

     "Princess, Link knows what he's doing. Don't you worry, it's not good for a young girl like you," Impa chided. Zelda sighed melodramatically.

     "Well, it's just that…" she began. "Now come on, we'll have no more of this nonsense. It sounds to me like you're just missing him," Impa interrupted.

     "I'm not missing him!" Zelda protested.

     "Princess, you forget how long I've been around. I know these things you know," the nursemaid grinned. Zelda smiled slightly, then took some more of the shortbread.

     "This is so delicious. Link will be devastated to hear that he missed out," she said, grinning.

     "That's more like it! Now you keep smiling and stop your worrying. You'll soon see that you'll feel much better," the old woman promised.

     Link trotted Carefree over North Castle's drawbridge, tired, but happy. Captain Krin greeted him cheerfully. "Welcome back!" he called. Link smiled and nodded. He stabled Carefree, then immediately looked around for Zelda. She usually liked to be outside, but the sky was overcast, a sure sign of the approaching winter. He entered her tower, and made his way upstairs, hoping that she would be there. However, the princess was nowhere to be seen, and Link couldn't be bothered to take another trip all the way back downstairs again, so he decided to sit down and wait for her. He'd soon fallen asleep on the bed, when Sprite flew into the room 10 minutes later, to get a document Zelda had written for her father. Seeing him there, she smiled to herself, and flew over and perched on his shoulder. Oh… he looks so tired, I just can't bear to wake him, the faerie thought to herself. She saw his pack down on the ground, and curious, lifted the flap up and peeped inside. A myriad shaft of blue and red light seeped out, and she dropped the flap quickly, satisfied. Well, I guess he's saved the kingdom again. Zelda will be pleased, certainly, Sprite thought, glancing back over at him. Then, remembering what she'd come up for, she went over to Zelda's desk to get the piece of paper she'd promised to bring downstairs.

     "Zelda!" Sprite called, as she flew into the Debate Room, where a royal council meeting was being held. Zelda looked extremely bored; her father had told her to attend the meeting for it would be good practice when she was running the country, but her mind was on things other than taxes, and how much money ought to be invested in the rebuilding of Saria. She looked up hopefully as Sprite landed in the middle of the table, a big smile on her face. "Everyone, Link is back and has retrieved both Triforces like he promised! A complete version of the Triforce of Power, and a half complete version of the Triforce of Wisdom! Isn't it fabulous?" she cried excitedly.

     "Absolutely marvellous! Tell him to come down here at once!" the King said.

     "Well… he's asleep. I think we ought to leave him," Sprite answered. Zelda stood up.

     "I have to speak with him now, regardless," she stated.

     "He's in your room, but I don't think…" Sprite began. Zelda smiled at her father.

     "I know we're in the middle of an important meeting, but I really don't see the point of me being here, so I'm going to see Link," she decided.

     "My dear, we'll be finished soon," the King objected.

     "Well then, I might as well go anyway," she said, walking towards the doorway.

     "Oh okay," the King relented helplessly, as his daughter rushed out of the room excitedly. He turned to Sprite.

     "Did you get that document I asked for? I do hope Zelda didn't manage to lose it," he said. Sprite dropped a scroll onto the table.

     "This is the one," she told him.

     Zelda pushed open the door into her bedroom quietly. She didn't want to wake Link up just yet, she just wanted to take the Triforces to safety. She found them in Link's pack, and quickly took them across to his magically protected tower. It would have been wonderful to have had three complete Triforces, but for now, two complete and one incomplete was enough. At least it stopped Ganon, or anybody else from being more powerful. The Princess had never seen all three Triforces together at once, and she knew if they restored the Triforce of Wisdom, the three could be fused together to create one big powerful Triforce- the key to destroying Ganon for good. She treble checked her protection spell, before going back to her room. Link was still fast asleep when Zelda returned there. Smiling, she pushed him slightly, so that he would wake up. "Link! You are so great, do you know that?" she told him. The exhausted hero sat up, and rubbed his eyes.

     "Oh… hi Zel," he said sleepily. She sat down next to him, grinning.

     "How did you manage it?" she questioned.

     "Oh… Well I guess I just stabbed Ganon a few times with my silver-tipped sword, and it killed him for a short while, so I made off with the Triforces whilst I had the chance. No doubt he'll manage to resurrect himself sooner or late. It turns out that Trenon was consorting with him, so I killed him too," Link replied, feeling more awake now.

     "Who cares? We practically have three Triforces! And once we do have all three complete, we can be rid of Ganon for good!" Zelda exclaimed excitedly. "Yeah, but Zel, I think I've had enough adventuring for one day. Spending the night in Death Mountain wasn't very pleasant," Link said, grinning slightly.

     "I'm just so glad that you're back! You got me out of the most boring royal council meeting ever!" Zelda said, hugging him.

     "I guess I'm just too wonderful for words!" he replied, laughing.

     "I'm just so happy… I could kiss you!" Zelda said. Link grinned at her.

     "Why don't you?" he enquired. "I was just about to!" Zelda answered, leaning forward to give him a kiss.

     "Nick is here," she added.

     "Really? I think I ought to go and say hello," Link said, pleased that their friend was there for a visit.

     "It's too bad that he's being entertained by Fayette. He came here in particular, just to see her!" Zelda said unhappily.

     "Fayette? Why? I thought she was gonna marry some knight?" Link replied, puzzled.

     "Evidently not. Besides, how could she pass up on the chance to attempt to become a queen?" Zelda said, beginning to smile again.

     "I suppose you're right," Link agreed.

     "You can see Nick at dinner. Right now, I think you ought to take a break. I'll go and get you something to eat, I'll be right back," Zelda promised.

     "Where are you going with all that?" Fayette asked, as Zelda walked down the corridor towards her tower, attempting to carry a tray of food. She had so much on it, that she was finding it hard to manage.

     "Well, Link missed both breakfast AND lunch, so I'm taking some food up for him," she replied, looking annoyed that Fayette had stopped her.

     "What, up all those stairs? To your room?" Fayette replied incredulously.

     "Yes. Why not?" Zelda replied, leaning against the wall slightly.

     "Really, he ought to at least come downstairs to eat," Fayette said.

     "Since when? It's not a rule that every meal has to be eaten in the banquet hall, you know," Zelda retorted.

     "Anyway," she added, "how come you aren't with Nick?"

     "There is such a crime as appearing too keen, you know," Fayette replied, looking smug. Then she smiled.

     "Aren't you excited though? In a few days, Mother will be married to your Father!" Zelda looked down at the floor.

     "I'm sure it will be a wonderful day for most of us," she said quietly. Fayette just smiled.

     "I knew Mother would learn to love again someday. I'm so happy for her." Zelda nodded.

     "I'm going to take this up to Link," she stated, beginning to ascend the stairs.

     "Watch your step!" Fayette called out sweetly. Oh, shut up! Zelda thought in return. She was certainly glad at the present moment that she'd been born into royalty. How awful it must be for the maids who had to bring the food all the way up backstairs for each meal that was served! Halfway up, she stopped to rest. While she wasn't about to drop the actual tray, she felt like some of the things on it, like the glass, were about to fall off. Somebody would probably have brought it up, but they were so busy preparing the roast for the honorary dinner for Nick that evening, that she hadn't wanted to bother anyone. Sighing, she began to walk up the steps carefully again. She supposed it was their job to carry things about, but it really was hard work. She wished she could do something to make their job easier. As she thought about it, she finally reached the top of the stairs, and sighing in relief, stepped into her bedroom. Link, who was reading a book, immediately got up and took the tray.

     "Zel, you didn't really bring this all the way up here?" he said, smiling at her.

     "Well, Impa does it often enough. Besides, everyone was busy, so I had little choice," Zelda answered, smiling back.

     "Anyway, I didn't really mind. It's just carrying something so unstable up all those steps!" she added. Link grinned, then settled down to eat his meal.

     "Oh… I almost forgot," Zelda began, suddenly looking serious.

     "Yeah? What's up?" Link enquired. Zelda picked up a piece of paper from her desk.

     "It's an invitation for me and you…. To attend your brother's funeral in Ruto," she said softly. Link nodded, turning the paper over.

     "My aunt and uncle want to see me before then, though," he said, reading what was written.

     "Oh?" Zelda asked.

     "I haven't been to see them in ages," Link explained.

     "Well, my Father marries Fenella on Saturday, that's in five days. They'll certainly be invited, why don't you see them then?" the Princess suggested.

     "I have a feeling this is a family thing, Zel," Link said, folding the letter back up.

     "Father will send his men down under the mountains, and drive out those barbarians once and for all," she promised, stepping forward to give Link a hug. He hugged her back tightly. "Everything will soon be alright again," she murmured, not sure whether she was speaking to Link or herself.

     The next morning, Link mounted Carefree and rode to Ruto Town , where his aunt and uncle lived. He felt a little guilty that he hadn't visited in a while, but he'd been so busy of late, what with the Enzar business, then the adventure of recovering the Triforce of Courage, and Ganon's siege of North Castle. However, it was still no excuse for not seeing the closest thing he had to a family. Especially since now, Hayden was gone. That was probably the main reason why they wanted to see him, about his now dead brother. Their small cottage was on the outskirts of the town, a little stone and timber building with two floors. Link tied up Carefree to a nearby tree, then walked over to the house and knocked on the door. His aunt Janey answered the door. "Hello Link," she said, smiling at him. "Do come inside. Your uncle Govan is out in the forest hunting, but he will be back shortly," she said, walking into the warm, cosy cottage. Link followed her into the kitchen, and sat down on the stool near the fire. He removed his money pouch from his belt and put it on the table.

     "I've brought you some rupees, as usual," he said. Janey smiled.

     "You really are a kind boy. Your parents would have been so proud." Link nodded, suddenly feeling upset by the notion. His aunt and uncle had looked after him during his early adolescence, and Link liked to give them money because they were quite poor. Although they hadn't wanted to at first, Link had insisted. At that moment, the back door opened, and Govan stepped inside. "Hello lad," he said to Link, before turning to his wife.

     "I caught a rather fine deer. We can have venison for dinner tonight," he said. Janey smiled.

     "Wonderful. Link has brought us some money, too. We've been saving up for your birthday, Link," she said. Link grinned.

     "Thanks. By the way, you're both invited to the King's wedding on Saturday," he said, removing the missive from his pocket and handing it to his uncle.

     "Speaking of the royal family…" Janey began.

     "Is it true about you and the Princess?" Govan inquired.

     "Of course it is! Me and Zel will probably get married real soon!" Link said excitedly.

     "And you'll be king?" Janey added.

     "Uh, well I never really thought of it that way. I mean, a lot of the time, I never think about Zelda's status. But I guess it will end up that way someday," Link answered.

     "Link, we're very proud… but there's a few other things you'll have to sort out first, before you go and marry your princess," Govan said seriously.

     "Are we talking about Hayden?" Link asked.

     "Partially," Janey said.

     "Arcesius, the Elder of Gardarika Town in Catalia, wishes to see you," Govan explained.

     "Gardarika? That wasn't so far from my home village," Link mused.

     "The Elder has something important to ask you," Janey said seriously.

     "I don't have time to go to Catalia. I must be present at the King's wedding, especially since I'm looked upon as a member of the family almost," Link answered.

     "It shouldn't take that long. You'll only need to stay a day or so," Govan said.

     "Well, okay. Do you have any idea why he wants to see me?" Link asked.

     "You'll find out when you get there," Govan said. Janey took some bread out of the oven, and cut into thick slabs. "And about Hayden. We still don't understand what was going on," Govan said, looking at Link with curiosity. Janey coated the bread with some creamy butter, while Link looked down at the floor. Eventually, he decided to relate the whole sorry affair.

     "I'd always thought that my whole family perished during that raid," he began. Govan nodded, and Janey continued preparing lunch. "Obviously I was wrong. Hayden showed up at North Castle, looking for me. He told me that he and Shawn managed to escape and went to live in Sosaria. Shawn died… I believed him," Link continued. Janey put some strawberry jam on the bread and cut some pieces of fruitcake. "It turned out that he'd been lying to me all along. He's joined a Tanolic tribe, the Carcastans. A group of savages who have been living in these mountains for years," Link said bitterly.

     "I don't believe that Hayden joined out of his free will," Govan said.

     "Me either. He told Lady Fayette and Sir Drake that they ambushed him, and he joined the group to avoid sacrifice," Link replied. "Me, the princess, some of our friends went down there and got caught. I escaped, and they were going to kill Zelda… and Hayden…" Link paused, looking down at the floor again. Janey ruffled Link's hair and placed his meal on the table before him. "I… I helped Zelda, but I was too late… for Hayden," he said slowly.

     "He was your brother! Why didn't you help him first?" Govan demanded.

     "Now Govan…" Janey warned.

     "I'm sorry! Don't you think I feel terrible? But Zelda… years ago I pledged to protect her, no matter what. Never mind that, she's my fiancée too! I love her!" Link exclaimed.

     "We know," Janey said softly.

     "Besides," Link continued, "Zelda is the only heir to the kingdom. It's my duty to make sure that she stays out of trouble."

     "There's Lady Fayette," Govan suggested.

     "Fayette would never be the ruler that Zelda could be," Link retorted.

     "We know Link. We're just upset that all this had to happen. And we wished we could have met Hayden," Janey said. Link squashed a little piece of bread onto the plate, not happy with his relatives reactions.

     "Don't you want to have someone as wonderful as Zelda on the throne?" he questioned angrily.

     "We just didn't know you were so attached to her," Govan replied.

     "I wouldn't call it that," Link said, rather coldly. Janey looked worried.

     "Link, please don't get angry with us. But don't you see it from out point of view?" she asked.

     "You don't have to make me feel more guilty for it though! I can't be the perfect hero all of the time. And Zel feels just as bad, like it's her fault. Which it isn't, I might add," Link replied, starting on his fruitcake.

     "And you chose duty over family! Hayden was the only other member of our family left!" Govan said.

     "Zelda is as good as family. I did the best I could, things went wrong. If you're not going to accept that, I think I'm going to have to leave. Besides, I'm not the only one going through a bad time right now. Zelda is too, and we both need each other," Link stated, ready to stand up.

     "It's very touching, but are you sure this is what you really want?" Janey asked.

     "Why wouldn't it be? Zelda is my best friend in the whole world, I couldn't bear to not be part of her life," Link replied, getting up off the stool.

     "Okay Link, we understand. But just think about it," Govan said.

     "What about Hayden's funeral?" Link inquired.

     "We've got that all sorted out. Just show up," Govan answered. Link nodded, and headed for the door. "Don't forget to see the Elder," Janey called after him.

     Link stayed out all day, riding. His visit to his uncle and aunt had brought on fresh feelings of hurt and guilt over Hayden, and he hadn't wanted to go back to North Castle just then. Also, he couldn't understand why they hadn't been that pleased about his engagement to Zelda. Sighing, he headed Carefree in the direction of the castle. Tomorrow morning he would have to head off for Catalia, and he wanted to spend some more time with Zelda before he left. He knew she was still upset about her father marrying Fenella, even if she didn't show it. He supposed she was staying quiet because she wanted her father to be happy. Although Fayette could be rather trying at times, and both she and her mother were a little snobbish at times, they weren't too bad after all. Most of the time anyway, Link supposed. It was unlikely that Nick would take Fayette for his wife, in Link's opinion, for she was certainly not his type, but somebody would probably marry her eventually. She was extremely pretty, and could be charming when it suited her. Then, she would leave North Castle, and Zelda wouldn't have to bother about her anymore. As he trotted Carefree over the castle drawbridge, it was well past 10pm, and very dark. Link stabled Carefree and fed him, then headed in the direction of Zelda's room. A light burned from the top room of her tower, meaning she was still up. Link slipped into the castle by a side door, then cut through the Banquet Hall to the passage which led to the tower. He made his way up the stars, and met Fayette halfway up. She smiled at him. "What are you doing going up here so late?" she said in a teasing voice.

     "I just got back. I want to tell Zelda something," he explained.

     "Oh really? Well, I'm off to bed. See you tomorrow morning," Fayette replied, smiling and brushing her hand briefly on his shoulder before walking down past him. Link stared after her, wondering what that had been all about. She might have just been being nice, but he really didn't trust her. He waited until she had reached the bottom of the tower, before turning to go back up the stairs.

     "Hey Zel," he called, stepping into her room.

     "Hi Link," Zelda said, getting up off her bed.

     "What was Fayette here for?" he asked.

     "Oh, you know. Just our parents wedding plans," Zelda replied, walking over towards him. "What did your aunt and uncle want?" she added, suddenly remembering where he'd been that day. "It was getting so late, we figured you were going to stop over. Fenella is absolutely adamant that we have pink dresses, and I even had to help with the guest list. It's just as easy to just invite the whole of Hyrule, I think!" Zelda began, before he could answer her previous question.

     "Yeah, it probably is. Apparently, the Elder from a Catalian town wishes to speak with me. I have to go tomorrow," Link said.

     "An old friend?" Zelda inquired.

     "I don't know him. But I'd still better go and see what he wants, anyway," Link replied, giving her a small hug.

     "Alright. But you'll be back for the wedding, won't you?" Zelda asked, leaning forward to give him a small kiss.

     "Of course. I wouldn't dream of it. It should only take a day or so, although I'll probably stay the night there," Link answered.

     "Drake was keeping me company for most of this evening, and Aaron and Charles. Poor Nick had to go with my father, Fenella and Fayette in the Drawing Room, whilst we got to have all the fun downstairs," Zelda said, grinning.

     "It would've been even more fun with me there," Link replied, grinning back at her.

     "Whatever you say. I must say, that Charles is pretty fun. The Lemmians have some really amusing stories," Zelda said, stepping away from Link, still laughing.

     "Zel!" Link cried in mock disappointment. She smiled, and moved to sit back down. Link sat beside her, and pulled her close to give her a proper, long, kiss.

     "I can't wait until we're married," he whispered, thinking about what his aunt and uncle had said previously.

     "Me either," Zelda admitted, kissing him back. "We could probably keep on doing this all night, and no-one would know," she added, her eyes sparkling mischievously. Link grinned at her.

     "Zel, you're terrible! But what a good idea…" he said, leaning in for another kiss.

     "Except for one thing. Fayette knows I'm up here," Link suddenly added.

     "Oh well…" Zelda said, smiling prettily.

     "You seem in a remarkably good mood," he teased lightly.

     "Why wouldn't I be? I own almost three Triforces. What more could I possibly want?" Zelda replied, looking amused.

     "A loving fiancé like me?" Link suggested. The Princess smiled and they shared one more kiss before Link decided he had better go and relieve Aaron from the Triforce protection duty. "I'll probably have to leave early tomorrow, but I promise I'll be back by Saturday," he said.

     "Oh Link, wait. There's just one thing," Zelda said suddenly, placing a hand on his arm.

     "Yeah?" he asked.

     "The Triforce of Power… we'll have to be careful with it. Without the functioning Triforce of Wisdom…" she said slowly. Link nodded, understanding.

     "I'll not touch it," he said.

     "If the rumour is true, about its skills of corruption, without Wisdom there to cancel it out, we could be in trouble. I mean, look at Ganon," Zelda replied seriously.

     "But Ganon was evil to begin with," Link stated. Zelda nodded.

     "Maybe so. But we can't take any chances, Impa says. And she always knows best."

     "Yes. Someday, we'll have three fully working Triforces," Link promised her. Zelda smiled slightly.

     "Sprite is helping out already. She and some other faeries are heading their own search," she explained. Link grinned.

     "Good for Sprite," he said fondly.

     "Yes. Stop by tomorrow morning," Zelda replied.

     "Promise," Link said, kissing her goodnight before going to his own room.

     "Come on boy," Link said, urging Carefree onwards. Bagu, an old friend of Link's who lived in a forest north of the Southern River, near Saria, had promised to take him across to Catalia in his small ship. Link had promised that he would be there for 10am, but he had ended up getting a little side-tracked, first by Zelda, and then by Nick, who had wanted a chat with him. Finally though, he'd managed to get away, and he'd rode Carefree like the wind in order to be punctual. Ten minutes later, he could see the banks of the Southern River, its water glistening in the morning sun. A little wooden ship was moored to the bridge that went across the river, and Link assumed it to be Bagu's boat. He wondered what the Elder wished to see him about. Perhaps Catalia had a problem, and they wished Link would help? He felt he should be obliged to really, after all, it was his homeland. But the hero felt apprehensive going back there; surely the memories of that terrible day would all come flooding back. In fact, he'd never gone back ever since it had happened, well over eight years ago. He would avoid going near the site of his village though, and at least he could ride to the Elder's town. Just having Carefree there, his faithful bay stallion, might help. And hopefully, he would stay no longer than a day at the most. The horse slowed as he approached the bridge, and Link saw Bagu sitting on the edge, busy fishing. He turned, hearing the sound of hooves, and smiled at Link warmly.

     "So boy, we're off to Catalia then?" he asked, as Link dismounted and led Carefree onto the boat.

     "Yeah. One of the Elders there wishes to speak with me," he explained. Bagu pulled up the anchor single-handedly. Link watched, amazed. He wished that he had half the power Bagu had. He was known as the strongest man in the whole of Hyrule, a large, burly man with a thick black beard. "Have you brought your frogs?" Link enquired, putting Carefree in the small animal enclose that was situated on the deck. Bagu grinned at the mention of his two beloved pets.

     "They're about somewhere," he answered, still grinning. Link smiled back, then lay back, watching the clouds up above, and daydreaming.

     It didn't take long to reach the rocky shores of Catalia. It was early evening as Link set off along the road that would lead to the small town of Gardarika. "Link!" called a high pitched voice. Link turned in the saddle, seeing Sprite flying towards him.

     "What are you doing here, Sprite?" he asked in surprise.

     "Oh, I've been following you," the faerie grinned.

     "Whatever for?" Link said, slowing Carefree to a leisurely trot.

     "Well, alright, I lied. I've only just caught up with you now. I have some news for you," she said, alighting on his shoulder.

     "Which is?" Link asked, halting his horse and pulling out his map. "Light spell," he told the faerie. She cast it onto the map for him, making it easy to read in the approaching darkness. "Thanks," Link replied, consulting the map to see how far away he was from his destination.

     "We faeries have found another shard of the Triforce of Wisdom!" Sprite squealed excitedly. Link smiled, glad.

     "That's wonderful. Zelda will be really pleased. But why didn't you wait? I'd have been back soon enough," he said, putting the map back into his pocket.

     "Uh… I know. But, I kinda figured that you might be a little lonely," the faerie said sweetly.

     "More like you're just being nosy!" Link laughed good-naturedly. Sprite giggled.

     "Maybe just a little bit," she admitted.

     "Did Zel not tell you? An Elder wishes to speak with me," Link told her.

     "No. Someone just said you were on your way to Catalia," Sprite replied.

     "Oh well, actually, I guess I'll enjoy the company. I don't know anyone here anymore," Link said, turning his horse down a small side track. The nearby signpost said that Gardarika was less than a mile away, and Link could see the warm glow of light coming from atop the nearby hill. "Come on, let's hurry up," he said, urging Carefree into a canter.

     Zelda stared at the Triforce of Power intently. It was giving her a bad feeling just by looking at it. Last time they'd had it, the Triforce of Wisdom had been there, cancelling out its bad effect. But now, without all its pieces, the Wisdom Triforce didn't even function. Zelda had been grateful that the faeries had discovered another shard, but it was still far from completion. She decided that the feeling she'd experienced a few nights back hadn't really gone, just faded a little. She was nervous about Ganon, but even if his monsters did resurrect him, he'd be powerless, Zelda rationalised to herself. Enzar was dead. Who else could possibly be a threat? Trenon perhaps, she thought, thinking of the evil savage leader. But we have two Triforces, almost three. I've got more power than anyone else in the kingdom, the Princess thought with satisfaction. Warily, she placed her hand onto the Triforce of Power. It felt just like the others, and she wondered why Impa had warned her not to use it. "It can't be that terrible, perhaps its all just a superstition that was made, because Ganon used to own it," she said softly to herself. Having said that, she drew her hand quickly away again, just in case. Making one last check on the security of the tower, she then headed to the Drawing Room, where her Father and Fenella were, busy talking to Nick and a few other guests.

     Arcesius, the Elder of the town, warmly welcomed Link into his comfortable house. "Link, it is a pleasure to see you back home on your own soil again!" he said. Link just nodded, feeling suddenly shy. "My wife Elynda has prepared supper for you, and after you shall tell me of your life in Hyrule," the white haired man declared.

     "Why did you want to see me?" Link questioned.

     "Ahh… wait Master Link. It all comes in due course," Arcesius said, his bright blue eyes looking at Link intensely.

     "I have to be at a wedding by Saturday. I wish to leave by tomorrow afternoon," Link answered, wishing that the man would tell him what exactly was going on.

     "Of course of course. Do not worry. You shall be back for that wedding," Arcesius promised.

     "He'd better be! The King is getting married you know!" Sprite piped up.

     "Shh!" Link told her. Arcesius smiled.

     "Just like in the tradition of the original tribes. A faerie companion," he said.

     "What? How do you mean? What tribes?" Link asked.

     "Why, don't you remember boy? You yourself are a sprig of one of the most famous in this particular area. The Kokiri Tribe. In fact, your entire village were direct, pure descendants," the Elder explained.

     "I never knew that…" Link said, feeling more surprised by the minute.

     "You are almost one of the last," the man added in a mysterious tone.

     "One of the last?" Link asked, puzzled.

     "Don't ask questions yet my boy. You'll find out the answers soon enough," Arcesius replied. At that moment, Elynda walked into the room.

     "Supper is ready! Welcome Link!" the white-haired lady said in a lilting tone. Link smiled at her, thinking that she looked a little like Impa.

     "Good, good. Come right this way, Link," Arcesius said, leading Link through into the cosy kitchen. The table was set for four, and a warm fire roared in the fireplace.

     "Where is Kylara, Arcesius? I've been waiting for her to return all day," Elynda said, as she set down some bowls of creamy soup.

     "I think she's a little shy. She knew that Link was coming today," Arcesius replied.

     "Who is Kylara? Your daughter?" Link enquired, tasting some of the soup. It was delicious.

     "She is not of our kin. But don't worry about her for now. I have questions that I'd like to ask you," Arcesius said.

     Zelda woke up the next morning, feeling absolutely terrible. Sitting on the side of her bed and looking into a small hand mirror, she thought, Ugh. I look dreadful! Obviously, she was coming down with the flu'. She felt tired, and sick. "How typical!" she wailed. "I'd just have to be unwell for Father's wedding!" Feeling sorry for herself, she lay back down on the bed. Dowser, the court hound suddenly rushed into her room, and jumped on top of the bed, wagging his tail furiously. He proceeded to shower the Princess in dog drool by licking her on the face, and she had to push him away. "Dowser!" she scolded lightly, wiping her face with her hand. The dog just sat there, almost grinning. Smiling slightly, she leaned forward to pet the shaggy grey hound, but not before she started sneezing. Sighing, she reached for a handkerchief. She was not feeling good at all. "Dowser, go get Impa, there's a good boy," she said drowsily. Dowser stared at her, still grinning. "Get Impa!" the Princess yelled. The dog bounded off the bed, and back out of the door. Zelda doubted if he'd understood, but perhaps he would still go to Impa. She got up out of bed, and stood there for several minutes, debating whether to get up or not. She felt like going back to sleep, but then again, she would only get bored just lying in bed all day. She leaned outside of the door, and shouted for a guard. One came rushing up a few moments later, looking worried.

     "Yes, Your Highness?" the young soldier questioned breathlessly.

     "Would you please go and get Impa for me?" Zelda asked. The guard nodded.

     "Of course, Your Highness," he said, turning to go back down the stairs. Impa arrived less than five minutes later.

     "What's the matter, Princess?" she enquired.

     "I feel and look terrible!" Zelda moaned. Impa smiled sympathetically.

     "Sounds like you're getting that pesky flu' that's going around. Now, the best cure for that is a good few days in bed," the old woman decided.

     "What? I can't! My Father and Fenella get married in less than 3 days!" the Princess protested.

     "If you rest, you may be better by then," Impa stated.

     "But… oh I just can't! It'll be so boring!" Zelda replied.

     "Don't be silly. Now, you get back in bed where it's warm, and I'll bring you some medicine, and some interesting books from the library," Impa said calmly, leading Zelda back over to her four poster bed. The Princess slipped back under the covers gratefully, before proceeding to have another sneezing fit.

     "What did I do to deserve this?" she complained after.

     "Nothing at all, dear Princess. But we don't want this spreading, so you'd better not have any visitors," Impa replied.

     "Not even Link?" Zelda asked.

     "Not even Link," Impa repeated firmly. Zelda pouted a little, but then she smiled.

     "He will come up anyway," she said.

     "He isn't back yet. Now, you get some rest," Impa said, pulling the blanket up over her, then walking back down the steps.

     Link was woken up by Elynda. The previous evening, he'd spent answering many questions for the Elder. The man had wanted to know all about Link's life at North Castle, about Zelda, his friends, and of his brave adventures. For once, Link had soon tired of talking about himself. He usually enjoyed reciting his deeds and quests, but telling them to Arcesius had felt a bit weird. "Hurry up. I shall be serving breakfast soon, and my husband and I wish you to meet someone special," Elynda told him. Link dressed and washed as quickly as possible, then made his way to the kitchen. He was surprised to see a rather beautiful girl sitting at the table. She was small, with long wavy brown hair and deep blue eyes. He smiled at her, thinking that she looked a little familiar.

     "Good morning Link," Arcesius called.

     "Good morning," he said, smiling round at everyone.

     "This is Kylara," Arcesius introduced. Kylara smiled at Link as he took his place at the table.

     "Hi Kylara, it's lovely to meet you," he said, offering her his hand. She shook it lightly.

     "Why Link, don't you remember me?" she enquired softly.

     "What? Remember you?" Link replied, starting to feel confused again. Kylara looked at him directly.

     "I used to live in your village," she stated. Suddenly, it dawned on Link who she actually was. Kylara? Of course, she lived only a few doors away! And Haylee's best friend, if I remember correctly… he thought.

     "I'm sorry, yeah I recognise you. But I thought you were all dead!" Link replied.

     "No! Some of us escaped. Me, my parents, and a couple of other kids. We sought refuge here. My parents have since died…," Kylara said sadly.

     "I'm so sorry," Link said, not knowing what to say. Kylara continued.

     "Now, only five of us survive. Six, counting you. We have to continue the line of the Kokiri," she explained.

     "There are four others?" Link asked.

     "Yes. Fayzie and Aden married a few weeks back, and Miya and Derin will marry soon. That leaves just me and you," Kylara replied, smiling suggestively.

     "Uh, really? Oh well, I'm getting married sometime, actually," Link said, wondering if she was implying what he thought she was implying.

     "Married? You can't!" Kylara said, perhaps a tad too forcefully.

     "Since when?" Link asked.

     "We have to get married. We need to retain the Kokiri line," Kylara replied.

     "I'm really flattered, but I'm going to marry Princess Zelda of Hyrule," Link answered flatly.

     "We know, but we think that your loyalties really lie with your heritage," Arcesius stated. Geeze, they sound just like my aunt and uncle! Link thought.

     "No, I'm afraid they don't. I'm marrying Zelda, and absolutely nothing will ever change my mind," he said firmly.

     "How did you let him get away you fools?" Ganon screeched to his two scouts, Skoll and Aspete. The necromancer had awoken just hours after Link had left the underworld with both of his, yes his, two Triforces. He had also awoken without a body, which hadn't been very pleasant for himself. He had managed to float up out of the pit and find his two scouts and instructed them to haul his body out along with Trenon's body and head. An hour and a half later Ganon managed to re-enter his body and revive Trenon as well. Whilst he himself bore no marks from Link's sword, Trenon bore plenty. Since his body or magic wasn't as strong as Ganon's, he still had plenty of scars courtesy of Link. Ganon had had to stitch Trenon's head back to his body before he could be resurrected and the stitches around his neck didn't look all that pleasant to say the least.

     "'E 'ad both of duh Triforces yur evilness," explained Aspete.

     "And?" said Ganon expectantly.

     "And, er, well 'e 'ad BOTH of dem," said Aspete blankly. "Enough you fool. I tire of your pathetic excuses," said Ganon. He turned to Skoll ,

     "And what is your excuse may I ask?"

     "Erm, well you see da thing is if that Link can kill you and Trenon, what's he gonna do to a simple Stalfos like me?" said Skoll almost logically.

     "Hmmm," pondered Ganon. "Well, you two can go. I want you to go and find that ugly beast Sal and bring her to me," Ganon instructed them.

     "Right away," said Aspete and Skoll in unison as they scuttled away out of Ganon's throne room. As the two left Trenon stepped out of the shadows quietly. Ganon turned around and smiled at Trenon. "Feeling better I see?" he said. Trenon nodded.

     "Yes, and my scouts have just discovered something very useful that could rid us of that tiresome warrior, Link, once and for all," rasped Trenon, his eyes gleaming.

     "Very interesting, what is this exactly?" asked Ganon curiously.

     "Well, it goes like this…".

     "But Link, you should surely consider," implored Arcesius. Link shook his head defiantly. Kylara glared at him whilst Elynda just kept quiet.

     "He doesn't have to consider anything!" squeaked Sprite.

     "But think of our tribe," said Kylara unhappily.

     "What about it? I left my life here a long time ago. I've got a completely new life now, and in fact I suspect I'm not even a true Kokirian. Look at me! I'm Hylian," pointed out Link.

     "Yeah exactly!" added Sprite. Kylara shook her head and looked up at him.

     "You're still a Kokirian, just because you're a Hylian it doesn't mean you can shy away from your heritage," she insisted. Link thrust his hand out towards her and showed her the faint scaring on the back of his hand.

     "Look at my hand! What so you see? It's the crest of the kingdom, my kingdom. Hyrule."

     "How did you get that?" asked Arcesius.

     "When I was sixteen this mark appeared on my hand. I showed it to Zelda's nursemaid, Impa and she told me that it meant that I was the destined Hero of Hyrule, the one who was meant to search for the Triforce of Courage. I did, but I only found it years later, now," explained Link. Arcesius shook his head.

     "That still doesn't mean you can't carry on your line," he started but Kylara interrupted him.

     "Leave it Arcesius. It's obvious he thinks he's too good for the likes of me. He's a hero now, engaged to some fanciful princess. Heritage isn't important to him. Just status," she said looking disgusted. "How can anyone who was so kind and thoughtful have turned into such a cad in only a few years," she thought out loud shaking her head sadly. Link looked at Kylara, annoyed.

     "You don't even know me! How can you make judgement of someone in just an hour or two?" he asked angrily.

     "Yeah, how could you say that about Link? He's the nicest human I know!" shrieked Sprite, insulted by Kylara's remarks.

     "If I were mistaken, you would do the right thing to prove your worth and accept that we must marry to carry on the Kokiri tribe," she said bitterly.

     "I don't even know you. How could I marry you?" asked Link hotly.

     "Because I'm one of your kind Link, we would connect because we are of the same kind," explained Kylara.

     "Because we're from the same tribe? I don't think so Kylara. I connect with people whom I choose, not to people who claim that I have to marry her because we need to carry on the Kokiri tribe. There's only six of us left. How do we carry on a line from that? Does this town have a village idiot? Do you want to know how that happened?" asked Link.

     "Yeah, it's from when brother's and sisters marry, or fathers and daughters!" said Sprite.

     "Small acorns grow into great oaks," quoted Arcesius.

     "Oh great," said Link rolling his eyes.

     "You have turned into a very disrespectful young man Link," said Arcesius coldly.

     "How would you know? You've never even met me before," said Link standing up.

     "Am I being ignored here?" Sprite wondered out loud. She got no response, not even from Link. Elynda put her hand on Link's shoulder and firmly pressed him back down to his seat. "Come now, there was bound to be some difficulties you three. You don't know each other all that well. Perhaps Kylara and Link should get to know each other a little better instead of making hasty decisions. You are both so young, there's no hurry for either of you to marry yet. The same would go for you and your princess," Elynda suggested soothingly.

     "Yeah, she's right Link. In fact I don't think you should marry her or Zelda, you should marry me!" squealed Sprite, delighted at the thought. Link shook his head and looked at Sprite.

     "Give it a rest Sprite," he asked.

     "Hmmph!" replied the faerie who promptly flew out of the window.

     "Come Arcesius. We have imposed enough, we shall leave them to it," she continued walking over to her husband.

     "Look, I'm real pleased to meet all of you but I have to be back in Hyrule in two days. That's not near enough time for us to get to know each other properly. And besides, me and Zelda love each other more than anything in the world. Nothing could change my, or her mind about our marriage to be," stated Link standing back up again.

     "Then I'll travel back to Hyrule with you," piped up Kylara. Link stared at Kylara blankly for a minute then was just about to protest when Arcesius spoke.

     "What a wonderful idea Kylara. It's perfect, you'd be able to get to know each other on the voyage back and then when you wish to return I'll send Aden or Derin to come and get you back home safely. Or Link could escort you back after the wedding," suggested Arcesius with a sly gleam in his eye.

     "Don't do it Link!" yelled Sprite flying back through the window. Link shrugged then turned to Elynda who was about to speak.

     "Yes, that is rather a good idea," added Elynda smiling brightly.

     "Then it's all settled," said Kylara. "We'll leave straight away."

     "Jeez, talk about being pushy with a capital 'P'," thought Link uncomfortably, "What will Zel think?" he thought. Perhaps he could tell her that she was an old friend, just coming to visit Hyrule, yeah that'd do.

     "Hey Selina!" called out Nick jogging across the courtyard to catch up with his friend. "Have you seen Fayette? I've looked just about everywhere for her," said Nick breathlessly. Selina shook her head and looked down at her feet quietly. Nick caught his breath and looked at her worriedly He craned his neck to get a better look at her. "Are you okay?" he asked. She didn't say anything. Nick placed both hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. "C'mon you can tell me," he said soothingly. A single tear slid down Selina's cheek and she looked up at him. Without a word he drew her close to him and hugged her tightly stroking the top of her head soothingly. "Hey, I'm sorry. Did I upset you?" he asked rubbing her back. Selina burst into tears and hugged Nick tightly, as if she were afraid to let go. Nick tried to soothe Selina but to no avail, whilst he was doing this he didn't feel Fayette's annoyed gaze upon his back.

     "Who does he think he is? Coming here to ask for my hand in marriage whilst he's busy consorting with a lowly village healer!" thought Fayette angrily. She wasn't close enough to see the tears springing from Selina's eyes, only close enough to see what she thought looked like a pretty passionate embrace. Well she couldn't even see that, but that's what she guessed it would be, after all she didn't think herself stupid. She had noticed that those two had been pretty pally-pally, she resolved that she would give Nick the cold shoulder, and while not ignoring him she would make it known she was not to be messed around with.

     Link was sat across from Kylara in the hold of the 'Imbecile's dream' a Catalian ship. They had just managed to convince the captain to give them passage before they had set sail. He had taken their money almost too eagerly and then immediately set sail for Hyrule. The two hadn't spoken since they had boarded the ship. He had just stared at the wall past her right shoulder whilst she had just looked down at her feet. It was an uncomfortable silence for both of them but neither knew how exactly to break the ice. Kylara looked up for the first time and smiled at him prettily. He had moved his eyes from the wall he'd been staring blankly at and smiled back at her friendly. "I suppose you'll think I was a little pushy when we met," she said letting her gaze drop shyly to her feet. Link grinned.

     "Maybe just a smidgen," he said.

     "How long does it take to get to Hyrule?" she asked.

     "It depends on the speed the ship is going, the currents of the tides, weather etc. etc." explained Link.

     "Oh I see. Well how much would you estimate?" she pressed.

     "Oh I'm not that sure, about six hours at a guess," he said.

     "Hi!" came a small voice. It was Sprite.

     "Where've you been?" asked Link.

     "Exploring this ship, are you sure it's safe? I don't like the captain he looks a bit shady. How do you know he won't press gang you?" asked Sprite speaking quickly.

     "Press gang me?" asked Link confused at the term.

     "Oh Link, don't you know anything?" asked Sprite rolling her eyes. "It's when they drug you, then they put tar in your hair and then make you become a pirate," explained Sprite seriously.

     "Okay Sprite, I don't think that's going to happen on this ship," said Link slowly as if talking to a child.

     "Don't take that tone of voice with me Link!" said Sprite, placing her hands on her hips. She flew over to his shoulder and sat down. Link grinned at Sprite and looked across to Kylara.

     "Just ignore her, she can get a little eccentric at times," he explained to her.

     "Okay then," said Kylara laughing.

     Link had to admit that she was pretty. "If only Hayden were still alive. These two would've been perfect," he thought sadly.

     "What's wrong?" asked Kylara noticing Link's sad expression. Link looked up at her,

     "Nothing really. Can you remember Hayden?" he asked.

     "Yes, and who couldn't?" asked Kylara her expression hardening.

     "What do you mean?" inquired Link.

     "Oh, no it doesn't matter. You don't need to know," she said.

     "No, come on tell me. Why could no one forget him?" asked Link.

     "Well, it's been said, and proved that it was Hayden who told those barbarians to attack. He was Chief Trenon's apprentice," began Kylara.

     "What? He was not! He only met Trenon a few years ago, when he came over to Hyrule to find me!" said Link.

     "No, Hayden left the town with Trenon, and how come you know about Trenon?" asked Kylara. Link shoulder's slumped dejectedly.

     "Hayden died not so long ago. Trenon killed him for trying to help me. Trenon was going to sacrifice Hayden and Zelda. I didn't know which one to go for. Oh god what have I done?" asked Link keeling over to the ground, hands on his face. Sprite almost lost her balance when he keeled over but she quickly regained her composure and flew over to Link to try and calm him.

     "You sacrificed your own blood and bone for a princess? What did you get? A large reward, like engagement?" asked Kylara who now seemed disgusted by this turn of events. Sprite turned towards Kylara agitatedly.

     "Don't you think he's suffered enough? Give the guy a break. He was already engaged to Zelda at the time for your information. Look at him, he's going to have to live with the fact that he could've saved his brother from death for the rest of his life, do you think he wanted his brother to die?" asked Sprite menacingly. Kylara turned up her nose.

     "Well, Hayden wasn't worth all that much anyway. He as good as killed my family," she sniffed. Link leapt to his feet and pinned Kylara against the wall with one hand.

     "Don't say that about Hayden, he was a good kid. He didn't mean any of it, I know he'd regretted that he was part of that damn sect, but I know that he never had to regret the deaths of his friends and family because he didn't cause any of them," yelled Link, his face inches from Kylara's. He took a step back, dropping his hand. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," said Link, his normally broad and strong figure slumping down dejectedly. Kylara took a step forward and hugged him.

     "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have said those things," apologised Kylara. Link stepped back and sat down.

     "If you don't mind I'm going to try and get some sleep," said Link quietly. He lay down and tried to get into a comfortable position until he finally dropped off from sheer weariness.

     Zelda looked up as she heard her bedroom door open. She was disappointed to see that it was only Fayette. At this time, none of her friends had been up, aside from Aaron, and she was feeling rather hurt by it. "What do you want, Faye?" Zelda inquired, placing her book onto the nightstand. "Oh, I heard you were sick. I felt sorry for you," Fayette said sweetly. "Don't be. And it's catching, so you ought to stay away," Zelda replied coldly. "Oh really! Can't I visit my sister to make sure that she's okay?" Fayette asked. Zelda sighed. "Fayette, I am not your sister," she said, sneezing. "But we are almost," Fayette replied. Zelda didn't answer the mark, hoping that Fayette would get bored. Instead, the princess to be sat down on one of the nearby chairs. "Oh, why is it that every royal person these days just wants to get married to common folk?" she wailed. Zelda sat up at Fayette's comment. "I sure hope that isn't supposed to be about me and Link!" she snapped. Fayette stared at her innocently. "Why, I wasn't referring to you in the slightest, Zelda. Not intentionally," she answered. Zelda pouted, looking unconvinced. "Your problem Faye, is that you seem to think people without titles or wealth, are not worth knowing. But that's such a wrong assumption to make!" she cried, going into another fit of sneezes. "But Prince Nicolas and that Selina friend of yours seem a little too friendly with each other! He's supposed to be courting me!" Fayette exclaimed. "What?" Zelda said, looking surprised. "Yeah, I saw them!" Fayette added. A slow smile spread across Zelda's lips, as she fought not to start laughing. "Are you sure?" she asked. "Of course I'm sure! He'll be sorry for this!" Fayette vowed, looking angry. Zelda sighed, and turned her attention back to her book. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you're mistaken," she told her stepsister. "It's easy for you to say. Link wouldn't do that!" Fayette replied. "He'd better not, else he'd sure be sorry," Zelda commented, not really concerned. Fayette stood up, and smoothed out her purple silk gown. "I hate to admit this to the likes of you, but in some ways I really do envy you." Zelda shot Fayette a surprised look. "Oh?" she said, her tone verging on that of suspicion. "Really, I'd give anything to have someone totally adore me, like Link adores you," Fayette added, fluffing out her auburn curls. Zelda wondered what Fayette was up to. She was never nice unless she wanted something. Smiling wryly, she replied, "what can I say? I'm his perfect girl." Fayette smiled slightly, looking almost pleasant for once. Maybe, Zelda thought, if Fayette kept being nice, they could actually learn to get along with each other. "Well, I'm going now. Perhaps I'll stop by later," Fayette promised, walking towards the door.

     It was late in the evening when the small boat landed at the port near Saria. Link would have stayed there in the town, but ever since Ganon had attacked, it was little but a pile of rubble. They would have to ride to Ruto, and by the time they got there, Link felt that they might as well continue on to North Castle. Sprite had fallen asleep in his pocket, and he was glad, because the faerie had been making remarks throughout the voyage, especially a particularly disturbing threat about telling Zelda the 'whole story' as it were, just so that she would get angry and yell at Link. When Link had enquired as to why Sprite would do this, Sprite had explained that, although she liked Zelda, she thought that the Princess and Link were badly matched anyway, and also because it would be funny. Sometimes, Link thought, his faerie companion could be a bit warped. It was even worse for the fact that Kylara would have to share his horse with him. But at least Sprite wasn't awake to see this. He led Carefree across the plank onto shore, and helped Kylara mount up behind him. "I can't wait to see the castle," the girl remarked, as they set off northbound. Link just nodded. "Will we get there soon?" she asked. "Soon enough. In less than two hours, probably quicker," Link answered.

     The next morning, the day before the King and Lady Fenella's wedding, Link decided to go and see Zelda. He and Kylara had arrived late the previous evening, and Impa had sorted out a room for Kylara, and informed Link that Zelda was suffering from the flu', and ought to be left alone. "She'll want to get up if she knows that you're back," Impa had told him. Link had nodded, but it still hadn't stopped him from deciding to go and talk to his fiancée. Somehow, he would have to explain to her about Kylara. In a way, it was lucky that she wasn't feeling 100%, and so she probably wouldn't get up until the next day. Sprite insisted on coming with him.

     "It's just so I know that you're going to tell Zelda the whole truth," the faerie said, as they made their way up the tower. Link stopped.

     "Sprite, are you crazy? Zel would just not understand. I'm better off not telling her," he replied. The faerie stared at him.

     "But what if she finds out?" she questioned.

     "If you keep your little mouth shut, she won't," he said harshly. Sprite looked at him in surprise.

     "Jeez, someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," the faerie declared.

     "Sprite, I already feel terrible. Don't you even think about making me any worse!" he said. Sprite smiled prettily.

     "I'm not," she replied.

     "Good. Because if you even dare to tell Zel what really happened…" he began sternly. The faerie fluttered in front of him.

     "I'll try not to. Of course, I can't help being one of people who's truthful, and…" she started. Link swatted at her in warning, then started back up the stairs again. "She'll find out one way or another!" the faerie shouted after him. Link ignored her, already working out what he was going to tell the Princess.

     "Zel?" he called softly, peering around the door.

     "Link?" Zelda called back, sounding pleased. He walked over up to the bed. Zelda was lying curled up under all the blankets, a book on the bed next to her. She looked pale and tired, her golden hair all tousled and curly from not having been brushed that day. She smiled however, upon seeing him. Link grinned at her, and handed her a small bunch of flowers.

     "How are you feeling, Zel?" he asked her anxiously. Zelda attempted to sit up.

     "Oh, fine. Thank you for the flowers, they're lovely," she murmured, placing them on the nightstand. "I'll need to put those in some water. Impa said she wasn't going to let you up," she said.

     "Oh, Impa wasn't going to prevent me from coming up to see you in your time of need," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately. She reached up and caught his hand in hers.

     "How was Catalia?" she enquired.

     "Uh…" Link began, trying to think.

     "You only went two days ago!" the Princess laughed.

     "Well, it was, uh, nothing remarkable," he finally said.

     "Why did that Elder want to see you?" Zelda pressed. Link sighed.

     "Uh, well, there was some people from my village there, who'd escaped. One was an old friend," he said hurriedly.

     "Oh, that's great," Zelda said. She began to sneeze, and waved Link away from her. "This cold is horrible. You'd better not get too close to me," she said forlornly. Link smiled at her.

     "I'll be okay," he said, leaning down to give her a small kiss. Zelda smiled.

     "Don't. If you caught this, you could be out of action for ages, and that just isn't a good thing!" she exclaimed.

     "You worry too much," Link told her.

     "I'm just concerned," she responded. She got up out of the bed, and sat on the side. "Tell me more about this friend," she said. It was the question Link had been dreading.

     "Uh, actually, she's here right now. She's always wanted to visit Hyrule," he quickly explained.

     "Oh, that's nice. Perhaps I'll meet her tomorrow?" Zelda asked. Link nodded.

     "Maybe," he said, surprised. She didn't appear all that bothered, although usually, if he had a female friend, Zelda would act all jealous. But, she was smiling. Perhaps it was because she was feeling slightly unwell, and she wasn't thinking straight, he reasoned.

     "I'm so nervous about tomorrow. I just don't want Father to marry Fenella at all, but I guess it's all settled now," Zelda remarked, standing up. "Oh, and I just hate having to stay in bed all day! I feel like going for a walk!" she added, looking at Link imploringly.

     "Now Zel…" he warned.

     "Oh, you're just as bad as my Father and Impa!" Zelda said sulkily. "I hate just lying here!" she added.

     "Well, imagine if you had to stay in bed tomorrow! You'd miss all the celebrations!" Link replied. Zelda hugged him.

     "Oh come on. Let's go someplace, just me and you," she said temptingly. Link steered her in the direction of her bed.

     "Not today Zel. I think you should get some rest," he said. Zelda suddenly looked sleepy, and nodded.

     "Yes, I suppose I am pretty tired," she admitted. Link made sure she was comfortable, then left. Kylara would be awake soon, and he couldn't risk having her talk to anyone. She might give them the wrong idea, and then word would get back to Zelda. And, sick or not, she wouldn't be very pleased if she found out what Kylara really wanted with him.

     The day of the wedding dawned with bright sunshine. The whole of the castle was very busy, everyone had some thing to do, whether it was preparing dishes for the celebration feast, or decorating the Great Hall for the dance that would take place after the wedding. Zelda had managed to get up, still full of cold, but not feeling to bad. She and Fayette got ready together. "Oh, this is so exciting!" Fayette exclaimed, pulling her dress on. Zelda didn't comment. She was feeling increasingly upset about the whole affair. She'd told herself she was being selfish by not wanting her father to remarry, but to her, it just didn't seem right. "Just think, I'm going to be a princess!" Fayette cried excitedly.

     "It's nothing exciting," Zelda replied, staring into the mirror.

     "And, if things work out with me and Nick, I'll be a queen!" Fayette added. Zelda combed her hair, putting all her thoughts to the back of her mind. Fayette continued her ecstatic tirade. "And if my mother is marrying your father, I bet that means I can use the Triforces too!" Zelda looked up at Fayette in disbelief.

     "You've got to be kidding. There's no way I'm letting you even touch them!" Zelda said.

     "Oh, you're so selfish! I thought that sisters shared things!" Fayette wailed.

     "You're taking this 'sisters' thing a little too far, Faye. Besides only certain people can use the Triforce. You have to be extremely smart and know magic," Zelda answered, putting the finishing touches to her make-up.

     "I am smart!" protested Fayette. Zelda cast her a withering look, then placed a flowered wreath upon her head.

     "Come on, the ceremony will be starting soon," she said, walking towards the door. Fayette hurriedly finished getting ready, and the two made their way to the royal chapel.

     Fenella was waiting outside of the room. She looked absolutely radiant, and Fayette felt extremely proud of her mother. Although Fenella was in her early forties, she looked really lovely in her white silk and lace dress. She wore a small gold and pearl tiara on top of her head, and white roses in her auburn hair. A long, chiffon train completed the look. "Girls, you look wonderful," Fenella complimented, smiling warmly at them.

     "And so do you, Mother," Fayette said, in her sweetest voice.

     "Well, let's not keep everyone waiting," Zelda said, picking up one end of Fenella's train. Fayette took the other end, and the three walked gracefully inside the chapel.

     King Harkinian was standing over by the altar, looking extremely proud. He was wearing a magnificent purple silk cloak, and a crisp white robe trimmed with gold. His best imperial crown sat atop his head. His good friend, King Derrick of Dubatio was standing nearby, as Harkinian's best man. All of Hyrule's greatest friends were inside the small chapel, celebrating the happy day. As Zelda, Fenella and Fayette walked down the aisle, Zelda smiled at Link, who was sitting near the front. She was surprised to see a pretty girl with rich brown hair sitting rather close to him, but had little time to ponder over who it was, for they then arrived at the end of the chapel. Zelda and Fayette took their seats, whilst Fenella stood next to the King. "Hi," Zelda whispered, managing to sit on the end of the pew, where Link was. He took her hand, much to the annoyance of Kylara, who was sat on the other side of him. While the priest went through the various prayers and vows, Fayette was sat thinking about the great future that lay ahead of her. Here she was, about to be a princess of Hyrule. That sounded so much better than simply a Lady of Sosaria, she thought happily. Even better, she might ever get to be the Queen of Dalsona, one of the richest countries in the world. She smiled to herself, thinking of all the power and wealth she might end up having someday. Meanwhile, Princess Zelda's thoughts were completely different to those of Fayette's. Her Father couldn't marry Fenella, she thought unhappily. It just wasn't right. Surely he was still in love with Alina, Zelda's long dead mother. At the thought, she felt tears springing to her eyes. Trembling with unhappiness, she let out a huge sob. Several people turned to look at her, including Link.

     "Zel?" he whispered, concerned. She wiped her eyes, but the tears kept coming.

     "They just can't get married!" she whispered to him. The priest was busy going through the vows, the King and Fenella answering,

     "I do," to each one. Link wasn't sure what to do. He remembered the King asking him how Zelda was feeling about the whole thing. Link had thought that she had finally accepted the situation, and he'd told her Father that. Now, it looked like she was about to spoil everything.

     "They can Zel! Your Father's happiness is important, don't do this!" he whispered back.

     "But Link!" she sobbed. The priest reached the final part of his speech.

     "If there is any man or woman in the chapel who knows a reason why Our Noble Ruler, King Harkinian of Hyrule, and the fair Lady Fenella of Sosaria, should not be joined in holy matrimony, please speak up now, or forever hold your silence," he announced.

     "Well I for one wish to have a say in this matter," boomed an all to familiar voice for the ears of Link and Zelda. Everyone gasped and turned around to lay their eyes on the, supposedly late, leader of the Carcastan sect, Trenon.

     "I thought you said you'd killed him," Zelda hissed to Link. Link shrugged in response and slowly drew his sword.

     "There's someone who I have brought along with me that I'd you all to meet, I'm sure you, Link, will be especially interested." From behind Trenon a figure stepped forward.

     "Hayden?" asked Link standing up. It was Hayden, but Link immediately noticed something different about his brother.

     "Hayden!" cried out Fayette joyfully. She leapt up and rushed forward towards Hayden, but not before Link caught hold of her arm.

     "Look at his eyes," he whispered to her through clenched teeth. Fayette gasped and stepped backwards.

     "Can't you leave my family alone?" asked Link. An evil smile crept across Trenon's lips.

     "No, it seems that I can't, can I?" he said, grinning at Link almost insanely. Several guards had crept up behind Trenon but he didn't seem to care. When one tried to strike Trenon the blow was simply deflected, sending the man staggering back. "No-one can harm me but you Link, after all you were the one that killed me the first time," said Trenon laughing.

     "It won't be the last time I kill you either," said Link glaring across at Trenon. "Well if you wish to fulfil that promise then you'll have to get past your dear brother first," leered Trenon. Link looked over to his brother and paused.

     "It's okay, it's not Hayden, not in spirit. I can kill him, I can sink this blade into him. It won't matter he's just another one of Trenon's tricks, it won't matter. But he's still Hayden, if I attack him and kill him then I could ruin my chances of ever getting to know him, he's the only family I've got left…" Link's thoughts were changed by a gently push on his shoulder. Hayden was bearing down upon him, sword raised. Link braced himself for Hayden's first strike, it sank in and it sank in hard. Link rolled to one side and tripped Hayden up as he prepared to bring his sword down onto Link's skull. There were gasps from the crowd as Link jumped up, they saw blood pouring from a deep wound in his left shoulder. Link grimaced in pain and switched his sword from his left hand to his right. His left arm would be useless now. Link backed over towards one of the pews to support himself, just as Hayden rose from the ground.

     "Why didn't he strike Hayden then?" wondered Zelda as she looked across to Link and his brother in horror. "Hayden's affecting him, he can't bear to harm him," she concluded, wondering if she ought to go and help out. She suddenly felt a cold, damp hand on her shoulder. The princess wheeled round to be confronted with the white face of Trenon, she noticed the stitches around his neck and backed away with repulsion.

     "You're coming with me!" rasped Trenon reaching out for Zelda. She lifted a foot to kick Trenon, and screamed. No-one heard her cries, or at least no-one responded. "Time is frozen my dear. No one can hear your cries, look around you're still over there and I'm still behind the pews. No-one can help you now. If you co-operate I won't make Link suffer anymore. Hayden is just a mere illusion, I could change him into anything including his own mother or father or even you. Do you agree to co-operate?" asked Trenon.

     Link glanced down at the large gash Hayden had created in the wooden pew with his sword. "Okay enough is enough, you're not Hayden!" stated Link plunging his sword into Hayden's stomach. Hayden keeled over in pain letting his sword clatter to the ground. He looked up at Link, his eyes had changed.

     "Link, how could you kill me like this," he asked clutching his wound. Link dropped to his knees loosening his grip from his sword.

     "Hayden, I'm, I'm sorry," Link spluttered staring into his brother's eyes. He leaned over to help Hayden but instead received a well placed blow in the face.

     "Fool!" muttered Hayden standing back up and kicking Link. Link stumbled over onto the floor. Hayden laughed and looked down at his rapidly healing wound. "Time to die brother!" he cackled taking his sword and holding it over Link.

     "Not so fast!" said Nick thrusting his sword through Hayden's back. Link moved out of the way and retrieved his sword then stood up. Nick let Hayden fall to the ground and helped Link up. "I'm sorry I didn't help sooner, I seemed to be frozen to the spot," apologised Nick. A few people were beginning to shake out of the trance that Trenon had obviously cast and were looking around dazed and confused.

     "Undo the magic on that tower and hand over what is rightfully mine!" Trenon said, as he dragged Zelda out into the courtyard.

     "No! I would rather die than hand over the power of my kingdom to the likes of you!" Zelda yelled defiantly.

     "Ganon told me you'd act like this…" Trenon said, not loosening his grip on the princess for a moment.

     "Ganon?! I might have known he'd be behind this! Let me go! You'll be sorry if you don't!" Zelda retorted, kicking Trenon as hard as she could. It was too bad that she was wearing stupid satin shoes, the Carcastan chief didn't even flinch.

     "Princess, you really are being very silly. Now, go and get me those Triforces, before I have to hurt you," Trenon said calmly.

     "Never! You can torture me all you like, I'll never give you what you want!" Zelda cried. "Why you hold onto this foolish notion about rather dying than giving up something so simple, I shall never understand. It seems to me that you just have a big mouth Princess. You don't mean what you say," Trenon said, bringing his fingers around her neck. She still glared at him contemptuously, seemingly unafraid by his threats.

     "I will never, EVER, give up those Triforces! And, if Link has killed you before, he can do it again!"

     "Link isn't here right now, and won't be for a very long time. In fact, your beloved hero is as good as dead!" Trenon said, smiling evilly.

     "You are a very foolish man, Trenon. Foolish men soon meet their end!" Zelda declared derisively.

     "And you, my dear girl, are a very foolish Princess," Trenon answered, his bony face grinning like that of a skull.

     "I simply refuse to give up what rightfully belongs to me! You'll never convince me otherwise, so let me go!" Zelda shrieked, wondering why no-one seemed to be hearing their struggle.

     "If you continue to defy me in this way Princess, I'm afraid we may have to resolve to the… more traditional methods of persuasion," Trenon replied, pushing her roughly up against the castle wall.

     "What? Torture? I don't care what you do to me, I'll never do what you want!" Zelda answered, her voice more shaky now. Trenon smiled to himself.

     "Okay, it seems you're not going to give me what I want just yet. Get moving! I'm taking you back to Death Mountain!" he said. Then he paused.

     "Wait. Let's leave a little present for that dratted hero." Zelda stared in horror, as Trenon conjured up an illusion of herself, except she was dead. What kind of magic is this? These are illusions, and yet we think they are real! No-one can do that! the Princess thought. Trenon clicked his fingers like Ganon did and they vanished.

     Link rushed down the stairs and through the Great Hall, out into the castle courtyard. "Zel!" he shouted, looking around for the Princess. He had left the chapel not long after Trenon had dragged Zelda out, and he had heard them shouting in the courtyard. However, neither were nowhere to be seen as he stepped outside. Then he saw Zelda. She was lying on the ground near the main path . Link ran over to her quickly. "Zel?" he questioned, bending down beside her. A dagger protruded from her chest, blood was everywhere. Horrified, he touched her wrist. Her arm was limp and cold, no pulse. She was dead. "No, no, no!" Link said distraught, shaking her as if would wake her up. "Zel, please," he whispered, tears springing to his eyes. This couldn't be happening… it wasn't real. Zelda, dead? The only girl he'd ever truly loved, and the heir to the kingdom. They'd never even got married… He'd failed her. It was his duty to protect her, and now he had truly failed. This was worse than the time Hayden had been killed, much worse. It made Link even more sick to know that his princess had been slain by the one and same person, Trenon. She was far too young, not deserving of such a terrible way to die. His tears falling readily now, Link leaned down to give her one last kiss. As he wept, he didn't hear the others coming out into the courtyard, wondering what was going on. The King and Fenella were stood in the doorway, Drake and Nick ran across to where Link was kneeled.

     "Link?" Drake asked. Link turned to see two of his best friends standing before him.

     "He killed her!" he cried.

     "What?" Drake said in surprise.

     "Trenon. He killed Zelda."

     "So, you're being your uncooperative, pathetic little self, are you?" Ganon asked Zelda, as he levitated up and down Zelda's small cell. The Princess simply pouted in response. "Not talking either?" he demanded.

     "You're the pathetic one, Ganon! Using other people to do your dirty work!" she finally answered.

     "You get more charming every time we meet, Zelda," Ganon sniggered.

     "And you get even more vile!" Zelda retorted angrily. Ganon laughed.

     "Right now dear Princess, your darling boyfriend and father are probably in deep anguish over your 'death', shall we say? In fact, if we're lucky, that stupid hero will go out and kill himself over grief!" the wizard replied.

     "No! He wouldn't do that! Link isn't a defeatist, and he wouldn't do that to our country!" Zelda replied, wishing she could escape from the bench Ganon had chained her to.

     "I shall keep you here forever, until you finally decide to co-operate and undo the magic on that tower," Ganon answered.

     "Never! Link will find out about this, and then you'll be sorry!" Zelda yelled defiantly.

     "Ah, but Princess, it's all over. The clever part is, is that no-one, not even Link will even know that you're here! You're 'dead', remember?" Ganon screeched triumphantly.

     "No, that's just not possible! I'm alive, and Trenon's illusions will never fool Link or anyone else!" Zelda replied. However, as she looked at Ganon, a chill suddenly swept through her. Trenon's illusion of Hayden had seemed real. She had seen Link touch the apparition as if it were solid. In that case, it meant that the illusion of her would also seem real to him. Ganon was telling the truth. Unless she could escape, she was trapped here in the Underworld with Ganon and nobody would even realise it….

     Nobody felt like having a wedding anymore, the ceremony was completed, but there were no celebrations afterward. The King was absolutely distraught, no-one could comfort him. Link had retreated to his room, not to be seen by anyone. Most of the guests went home, leaving the rest of the royal household to grieve for their princess. The news of Zelda's death spread through Hyrule and beyond like a wildfire. Even Fayette was noticeably subdued, even though many knew that there was no love lost between the two stepsisters. Sprite didn't know what to do. Link was refusing to speak to anyone, even her. Kylara was also lingering around the castle, not having anywhere to go in particular. The faerie unkindly thought that the girl was probably pleased by the unexpected turn of events, because it meant nothing stood in the way of her plan to get married to Link. She fluttered lightly about the Great Hall, where most of the castle were sitting quietly, still in shock. Selina, Aaron, Dion, Damon and Drake were huddled together, with outsiders Charles and Nick, who were looking slightly uncomfortable. Hardly any of the courtiers or servants were at work, nobody felt like doing anything at all. After a while, Sprite noticed Kylara slipping out of the room, obviously meaning to go and see Link. The faerie flew after her, and stopped in front of Kylara as she pushed open the door that led to Link's tower. "Leave him alone! This isn't a good time!" she snapped.

     "I just wanted to see if he was okay," Kylara protested, beginning to walk up the stairs. Sprite zapped a small bolt of faerie magic at Kylara, who stepped back in surprise at the faerie's attack.

     "Of course he's not okay, Kylara! Zelda just got murdered you know! He loved her very much!" Sprite answered, her voice tinged with bitterness. She felt tears springing to her eyes. "Just leave Link alone. He doesn't need this now. And don't you dare go and tell anyone the real reason why you're here. It'll only cause more trouble!" Sprite sniffed. Kylara seemed to get the message. She nodded, and turned away. Sprite flew up the tower, but the door was closed. She knew her friend would never answer if she knocked, he probably wouldn't be able to hear anyway, considering she was only a faerie. She flew outside and round to the balcony, and luckily, the doorway was open. Flying back inside, she saw Link. He was lying on his bed, face down on the pillow. The faerie wiped away her own tears, then flew across and landed on the pillow. "Link?" she questioned softly. He sat up, and looked down at her.

     "This should never have happened!" he said angrily.

     "No. But it wasn't your fault. It was no-ones fault!" Sprite answered.

     "How can I get through another day like this?" he moaned, sounding frustrated. Sprite flew up and kissed him on the forehead.

     "You have to. I'm not going to say it'll be easy, because it won't. And I think you had feelings for Zelda, more greater than anyone else, more than her own father," she said softly. Link nodded.

     "I really loved her so much. Not for her title, but for who she was. She was so great to me," he said sadly. Sprite nodded. He lay back down, clutching his pillow for comfort. "I mean, it all happened so quickly… what the hell was I doing?" he said, not really speaking to anyone but himself.

     "Trenon has obviously been learning magic from someone. A new kind we've never seen before," the faerie murmured, looking worried.

     "They were illusions, surely, and yet… it was as if it really was Hayden. I touched him, we fought," Link replied. The faerie looked thoughtful for a minute.

     "This magic… Perhaps Imilda can help," she finally said.

     "Imilda?" Link questioned.

     "Yes. She's one of the most knowledgeable faeries in the kingdom. I shall go to see her soon," Sprite decided. Link's sad expression suddenly darkened.

     "Trenon will certainly pay this time! As if it wasn't enough, killing my brother! He had to take away the other person I loved most!" he exclaimed, sitting up. "I shan't rest until I've killed him, until I've avenged Hayden's and Zelda's deaths!" the hero vowed.

     "Be careful, Link," Sprite said slowly. But he didn't seem to hear her. He was already getting changed from his best silk tunic into his normal everyday ones. As the hero grabbed his sword, Sprite said, "what about the Triforces?" Link shrugged.

     "I've no time to bother about that. Tell Aaron to guard them," he called, leaving the faerie alone in the room.

     The sky was already growing dark as Link mounted Carefree and rode away from North Castle. Sprite had said that he was stupid to go out so late, and that he should sit down and think things through. "Vengeance is fine, but you're not prepared. We've never encountered that sort of magic before, and without foreknowledge of his new skills, you're probably playing right into his hands!" the faerie had cried. She was probably right, but now Link only had one thing on his mind now - revenge. He wouldn't be happy until he'd killed Trenon once and for all. As he rode Carefree on through the night, he began to weep again. The horse seemed to sense that something was up with his master, but he carried on cantering along the road to Ruto. Link cried, not just for the loss of Zelda, but also for his long dead family. What good was fame and admiration, when you had no-one to share it with? The King might already treat him as one of the royal family, but it would never be the same now that Zelda was gone. With Zelda dead, the crown would obviously have to pass on to Fayette. Fayette! She wasn't even Hylian, she hadn't even been born in Hyrule. The crown would pass onto a stranger. Link knew that they'd never consider him, not that he wanted it anyway. But, despite the fact he potentially almost had some right to claim the throne, his lowly heritage would probably be overshadowed by Fayette's high born status. It looked like he'd end up marrying someone like Kylara after all. Except, he didn't think he could learn to love anyone else, ever. And even if he did, it wouldn't be in the way that he'd loved Zelda. And what of the Triforces? They had belonged to Zelda. It was almost stupid to hand them over to Fayette. She knew very little in the way of magic, and she wouldn't know how to look after them. Link sighed, and wiped his eyes. The lights of Ruto town came into view, as Carefree trotted around a corner of the road. They began the gentle ascent up to the mountain town.

     Ganon threw open a heavy, metal studded door, and cackled with glee. "Welcome to my new, and improved, torture chamber, Zelda!" he said. Zelda bit her lip, feeling frightened. Ganon never usually hurt her, and it was a shock to see all the devices there before her. Several metal cages were suspended from the ceiling, whips and chains hung up on the walls. Several iron maidens stood in the room, some open, revealing their sharp spikes inside, others closed, blood dripping through the cracks. There were stretching racks, thumbscrews and even guillotines. Zelda shuddered, the stench of blood making her feel sick. Several hefty moblins and darias were stationed in the room, eagerly awaiting their next victims. "Of course, we don't have to this just yet. It's no use killing you, I need you to get rid of the magic around Link's tower," Ganon added, dragging her back outside. Zelda struggled to get away, but Ganon's bony grip was just too strong. Using a combination of the Triforce's powers, and her own, Zelda usually cast a protection spell over the tower the prisms were housed in. It prevented evil from passing over the threshold. Zelda wasn't strong enough to protect the whole castle, even now, she was feeling her own magical strength start to ebb away. She had taught Link enough for him to renew the spell if it was needed, but even so, it didn't always stop evil. The griffin Enzar had never been affected by the spell, and so thus many had fallen into his evil plot. But luckily, Ganon's magic wasn't as strong as Enzar's. The wizard threw the Princess into a dank, cold cell, where she was promptly chained to the wall by Skoll and Aspete. As they left, sniggering, Zelda wept, wishing that she could contact Link.

     "He's gone where?" Drake said incredulously. Most of the younger members of North Castle were all gathered in the Great Hall.

     "He says he's going to totally finish Trenon," Sprite replied simply.

     "And he went alone?" Selina said.

     "Do you really expect that he'd ask for your help?" Sprite answered, placing her hands on her hips.

     "Oh this really is terrible," Aaron said.

     "More like he's just acting totally stupid!" Drake put in.

     "Yeah, you'd think he'd be mourning, instead of going off and killing people!" Fayette exclaimed. "I bet he never was that much in love with Zelda anyway," she added. Everyone else in the room glared at her. Sprite looked most offended.

     "You just keep out of this! You don't know a thing! And of course Link is mourning, but he's also angry. So keep that nasty little mouth of yours shut! You're as bad as Kylara! Of course he loved Zelda, you stupid idiot!" the faerie shrieked. Fayette raised her eyebrows but didn't say anything. Several people looked at Sprite in surprise, wondering what she meant about Kylara. There was an uncomfortable silence.

     "Um, perhaps some of us ought to go after him," Aaron finally suggested.

     "I don't know …." Sprite began doubtfully.

     "Yeah, I think it's best if we leave him alone," Drake agreed.

     "I don't know… remember what trouble we got into down in Ruto last time," Selina said, looking worried.

     "Link can handle himself, you know he can. Besides, I might go after him," Sprite declared.

     "What are you, his personal agent or something?" Fayette said snidely. The faerie scowled. She really hated that girl.

     "As good as!" she retorted.

     "Maybe I should go ," Kylara volunteered shyly.

     "What? Why?" Drake asked.

     "Well, we are of the same kindred after all. Link and I…. we share a connection," Kylara said softly. Several people looked over at Kylara, wondering what the girl meant.

     "Oh please! Kylara, just because you're from the same village it doesn't mean anything! Link couldn't care or less about the likes of you!" Sprite yelled, fluttering around angrily.

     "Oh, of course he does!" Kylara said calmly.

     "Er, what exactly is going on here?" Drake enquired.

     "Nothing! She's just crazy!" Sprite cried, firing a bolt of magic across at Kylara in warning. Kylara stepped back, and the magic beam missed.

     "I'm not crazy at all," Kylara replied.

     "She's the one that's crazy!" pointed out Fayette. Sprite wheeled around and sent a bolt of magic towards Fayette. Drake reached out and grabbed Sprite firmly in his hand.

     "We'll have no more of that thank you very much," he said.

     "Let go of me!" shrieked sprite hitting Drake's fist as hard as she could.

     "Promise you won't attack anyone else?" asked Drake looking down at the little faerie. Sprite nodded her head quietly.

     "Don't believe a word she utters, she's crazy!" squealed Fayette. Drake shook his head laughing.

     "Go on then, go see if you can help that young idiot," he exclaimed freeing the small faerie. "I will!" Sprite announced haughtily.

     "Come on Zelda, you can't keep this up forever," Ganon leered at the stubborn Princess.

     "Ganon, I would never hand over such power to you!" Zelda retorted.

     "You don't have it right now, though," the wizard sniggered.

     "With the power of all three Triforces, you would rule the kingdom forever!" Zelda cried, looking worried. Ganon laughed.

     "That is my aim. First Hyrule , then the world!"

     "Never! You will never do that!" Zelda replied fearfully.

     "We all know the power of the Triforces alone. To have all three combined…" Ganon began.

     "They belong to me!" Zelda interrupted.

     "You bore me. It seems that you've gotten even more contumacious as you've got older . It must be the bad influence of your stupid hero!" Ganon screeched. Zelda pouted , and tried not to start crying. The most frustrating fact was that nobody even knew she was there, and she was practically helpless.

     "Ganon… perhaps we can come to… some sort of… deal…" Zelda began. Ganon studied her suspiciously.

     "Princess, that's what I'm trying to do right now! And it's sooo very simple, yet you refuse to do as I ask!" he shrieked. Zelda winced at the wizard's piercing shouts.

     "Because it's so unfair!" she protested.

     "Ha? Unfair? You think trading the Triforces for your freedom is unfair? I think I'm being rather generous actually," Ganon replied, laughing a little. Zelda scowled at him.

     "Generous?" she questioned in disbelief .

     "I have a magnificent torture chamber Zelda, and nothing would give me more pleasure than to hear you suffer. However, you owe me because I haven't subjected you to any of my 'little' devices yet," Ganon said, sniggering again. Zelda gave Ganon her most blackest look she could manage. He barely noticed, he was so busy sneering at her.

     "You haven't done that, because I'm the only one who can remove the spell on the Triforce Tower," Zelda answered, the hint of smugness in her voice apparent to Ganon. He snorted.

     "That's true enough, but I can still hurt you without killing you, you know. Of course the iron maiden has always been one of my particular favourites, what with all the blood and shrieking, but in this case I think that…."

     "Oh shut up! You're so disgusting!" Zelda interrupted. Ganon cackled.

     "You might act all tough on the outside Princess, but you really are a silly, stupid, squeamish girl underneath!"

     "Ooh Ganon, I swear if you hadn't got me all chained up like this, I'd just really have to kill you!" Zelda cried angrily.

     "Haha, nooo. We couldn't be having that. Besides, I am almost invincible. I can resurrect myself many times over," Ganon replied smugly.

     "Most unfortunately," Zelda said in a sarcastic tone. Ganon just grinned at her, his red eyes narrowing into little slits.

     "Master!" shouted a familiar voice. The slobbering moblin Aspete came into the room, along with his bony stalfos sidekick, Skoll.

     "What?" Ganon demanded.

     "Er, Your Evilness, it 'as come ta light that Link is on his way 'ere," Skoll explained. "What?!" Ganon shrieked.

     "It's true Master. E's down in the Ruto mountains lookin' for dat Trenon friend of yours, but when 'e finds out dat Trenon ain't dere, 'e's gonna come straight 'ere, we reckons," Aspete added. Zelda's hopes rose. Link was on his way here! Ganon turned to Zelda.

     "Hah, as if I'll leave you here for the boy to find!" he commented. He turned back to his monsters.

     "You must make sure that he never reaches here! Aspete , arrange for your stupid, slobbering friends to ambush Link as he approaches Death Mountain!" he ordered.

     "At once, Master!" Aspete saluted.

     Link ventured into the dark, dank passages of the Carcastan Sect's realm. He didn't know if he was going to find Trenon here, indeed , perhaps Trenon was with Ganon at Death Mountain. After all, of late , Captain Krin and his men had journeyed down under the mountains several times , attempting to drive out all of the Carcastans. Krin had told Link that they had killed most of the tribes living down there, and of the few that were left, he presumed they had fled back to Tanol. But, it was worth checking anyway. He was going to avenge Zelda's death, no matter corrupt as Ganon's, if not worse. Ganon had threatened to kill Zelda several times , but in his need for her to undo the protection spells that prevented him from getting his hands on the Triforce and always stopped him. But Trenon had gone and killed her anyway. Zelda … he loved her so much. Or at least, he had done. Things had been so perfect. Zelda had loved him, he had the kingdom's respect and pride, they'd had almost three Triforces, the key to ruling Hyrule forever. Killing was wrong, Link knew that, but Trenon had to die. Link couldn't understand how the man had come back to life in the first place, obviously, he'd been resurrected somehow . Ganon did it often. But that was Ganon. Wearily , Link sat down on a small rock. He rested his sword down by his feet, and placed his head in his hands . Now was the time for another good cry, the chance to mourn the loss of his beautiful princess… No sooner had he sat down, when suddenly, a group of Darias leapt out at the hero. His quick reflexes saved him; Link grabbed his sword and sank the blade into the stomach of the nearest one. It shrieked in pain and he stabbed it a few more times before it managed to swing its axe at him. Five minutes later, Link had managed to dispose of all the alligator-like monsters, and he set off again, further into the shadowy depths of the Ruto Mountains.

     It was early next morning when Link finally came out back to the overworld, accompanied by Sprite. After she'd caught up with him, they'd searched the underground temple and its surrounding caverns from top to bottom , but they had found no-one. "Come on Link, let's just go back to North Castle," Sprite said, as Link mounted up onto Carefree, who had patiently waited for his master outside.

     "I' m going to find Trenon, no matter what it takes," Link answered, spurring his horse into a canter down the hill.

     "Ooh!" Sprite cried angrily, flying as fast as she possibly could in order to keep up. As Link's horse approached flat land, Link saw another rider out in the early morning mist. He slowed Carefree down , as the rider came into full view. A tall man in a brown tunic, hat and chain-mail, riding a graceful chestnut horse.

     "Hey Charles!" Link called out waving. Charles trotted his horse up to Link's.

     "Greetings," he said, smiling warmly at the hero.

     "What are you doing out so early?" Link enquired. Charles halted his horse completely.

     "I woke up early. Besides , the mood at the castle is so sombre, and I feel like I shouldn't be there," Charles said apologetically.

     "Nonsense. Stay as long as you please. Just because…" Link let his words trail off. Charles nodded in understanding.

     "They say that you have gone to settle the score with your princess's murderer?" Charles asked. Link nodded.

     "Yes, Trenon. I killed him before, for he murdered my brother. Now, he is somehow back to life, and he took away the one person I loved more than anyone in the world," Link replied, his anger evident in his tone of voice.

     "If it helps any, my friend, I also have a deep hatred for Trenon's race. The Tanolians often invade my country, Lemmink , and also, my dear friend, Princess Julietta's country, Jueland. We combine our forces, but they cause so much damage to our smaller villages," Charles explained sadly. Link nodded . Suddenly , he stared at Charles.

     "You know Princess Julietta?" He'd met the princess a year ago, when she'd visited Hyrule. He remembered her well, a petite strawberry blonde, engaged to a lord of Sosaria. "And your name is Charles… why I do remember her saying that she was great friends with King Charles of Lemmink! It's really you, isn't it?" Link exclaimed. Charles grinned.

     "Uh, I guess you got me there ," he said.

     "Pardon my terrible manners! It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness!" Link said, grinning back.

     "No, please don't call me that! That's what I'm trying to get away from!" Charles protested lightly . Link laughed slightly, his deep sadness forgotten for a moment.

     "Okay, I'll not tell. But someone's going to realise sooner or later," he said . Charles smiled .

     "Nick already knows. He confronted me; after all ,we had meet before a few years previously," he explained. Link smiled again.

     "What is it with this generation of Royals? You're all so revolutionary! Why, here's you pretending to be some normal guy, then there's Nick still refusing to ascend to the throne, and then Zel…" Link stopped there, his face falling as he mentioned the name of the love he had lost . Charles placed a hand on Link's shoulder and patted it comfortingly.

     "I wish there was someway in which I could help," he said sadly. "Perhaps there is…" Link began slowly.

     "Like what?" Charles enquired.

     "Help me. I think Trenon is at Death Mountain," Link replied, trotting Carefree onwards …

     By early evening, the two adventurers had finally reached the outskirts of Ganon's territory. "We'll have to be careful round here," Link said, dismounting. "Ganon's monsters hide all around. Our horses should be safe here, though," he continued. Charles dismounted too and nodded.

     "So how far is the entrance from here?" he asked, looking around. The autumn season meant that the darkness grew earlier and earlier. According to Link's watch, it was only just past 6pm, but the sky was tinged with dark patches within the vibrant sunset.

     "We travel down this bank into the valley. See the red mountain?" Link said, motioning over to the one that was different from all the rest. Most of Hyrule's mountains were a dark brown colour , but Death Mountain stood tall and red, easily marking out the main entrance into Ganon's domain . "There is an entrance into the Underworld there, but we'll not go in that way. There'll be too many monsters," Link continued, drawing his sword, and looking around cautiously. Charles drew his own weapon, and they set off down the hill into Death Valley. Link remembered one of the previous times he'd been here. Turning to Charles he said, "only about a month or two back, there was a huge battle going on in this valley."

     "Yes, I take it you won?" Charles asked .

     "Well, the main aim was just to defeat Ganon , but I later found out that he can only supposedly be destroyed for good using the power of all three Triforces combined. Otherwise, he just simply keeps resurrecting himself," Link replied.

     "Do you think you will ever be rid of him for good?" Charles enquired . Suddenly, the two heard a roar, and a large group of moblins suddenly surrounded them.

     "Oh great," Link muttered, going for the nearest one. He shot some magic from its blade to zap another one coming at him, and the two moblins vanished. Charles swung his heavy sword at a rather hefty moblin, promptly cleaving it in two.

     "Good one!" Link called, as he disposed of two more of the creatures. This soon sent the rest of them running.

     "Are they always so cowardly?" Charles asked, staring in disbelief as the creatures retreated back into the trees. Link nodded.

     "Yeah, but they can still be dangerous to the unwary. It's just that they know I can get them in one or two hits, and they hate being in Ganon's Evil Jar." The two reached the bottom of the valley without another incident, and entered Death Mountain via a secret passageway which lay behind a small clump of trees.

     "This is an extremely difficult decision, but it has to be made, Your Highness," Drake said. The King was holing a Royal Council, with all his best advisors like Impa, and his most loyal knights like Drake. Fenella was also present.

     "I don't think that there's any question about it. My Faye is the obvious answer," she said. The King sighed.

     "Logically my dear, yes. But she's not a true heir," he said sadly. They were busy discussing who was next in line to take the throne. Now that Zelda was dead, there was no-one with a rightful claim, and the King wasn't sure what to do.

     "Nonsense! She's my daughter, your stepdaughter," Fenella replied. "She's not Hylian," the King said.

     "Your Majesty, if I may please point out, perhaps it is time for a change? It shouldn't matter that Fayette is Hylian, she's rightfully a Princess of Hyrule now," one of the knights pointed out.

     "It's breaking a tradition though. Besides, we don't know how the people would feel about an outsider ascending," Impa said slowly.

     "That's true," Drake nodded.

     "Outsider? Faye is hardly that," Fenella retorted, looking offended.

     "Of course not dear. But my people… You and Faye were born in Sosaria, not Hyrule. I would be handing the throne over to a native Sosarian. Don't you see how my people might feel?" the King replied. Fenella nodded.

     "Alright, of course, that is a valid point. But surely they wouldn't mind? Alina was Sosarian."

     "I think Link would be the most natural choice. After everything he's done for Hyrule…" Impa began. Several people murmured in agreement at Impa's suggestion.

     "He isn't even a noble!" Fenella protested, angry at the fact that the hero should be chosen over her daughter.

     "That doesn't matter. Link has lived here long enough to know the ways of royal etiquette," the King answered, looking thoughtful.

     "And he and Zelda were to be married in any case. He would have been King someday," Impa added.

     "But Link isn't Hyrulian either! Wasn't he born in Catalia?" Fenella stated, a hint of smugness in her tone.

     "He's Hylian though, and our people love him like he is one of us," Drake replied.

     "That's hardly fair on Faye!" Fenella answered.

     "Perhaps neither are suited. Perhaps I should choose someone else entirely," the King finally said.

     "But Your Majesty," Impa implored.

     "One of you knights, you Drake perhaps?" he suggested, looking at the knight.

     "Your Highness, I respect your choice, but I hardly deserve such a responsibility. Link truly deserves the honour, I think. It's what Zelda would have wanted," Drake replied sadly. Everyone knew that Drake had loved the Princess like she was his own sister, and at his tone, the entire room fell silent, thinking of her. Finally, the King said quietly,

     "I think Fayette is the best choice. She is the next in line, it's unfair to give the right to someone else." Impa, Drake and a few others glanced at each other in disappointment. Fenella hugged the King, and then the old man got up and walked out, looking deeply troubled. Fenella and the rest of the court followed.

     "This just won't do!" Drake declared to Impa as they walked back to the Great Hall.

     "Come upstairs Sir Drake," said the old Hylian, heading towards the stairs. As dutiful as he was, Drake helped her up to her room, and they went inside. Impa made some herbal tea for the knight, and they sat down.

     "Dear, I see that you feel as strongly as I. Unfortunately, it is the King's final decision, and we can't go against it," she said. Drake nodded.

     "Of course not! But to choose Fayette!" he said glumly.

     "Fayette may seem like a silly empty head at times, but I do believe there is some good in the girl. And yet, she's nothing like Zelda, and never will be," Impa said sadly. Drake looked down into his tea.

     "I grieve for her almost as deeply as Link," he said in a soft tone.

     "It's a terrible tragedy, that should never had happened. But no-one is to blame, no matter how much Link thinks it was his fault. Now, it's too late. I only hope that he doesn't go out and do something completely stupid," Impa said.

     "He won't, yet I fear that some of us should have accompanied him. Yet, he wouldn't hear of it, and went riding off vowing revenge," Drake muttered, fingering the handle of his sword. Impa got up, and walked over to the window. It was growing dark.

     "He has been gone two days. Sprite told me earlier that he is headed to Death Mountain, along with brave King Charles," she said.

     "King?" Drake asked in surprise. The old Hylian woman chuckled, breaking their sombre mood a little.

     "Yes, Charles is the ruler of Lemmink, but it seems he prefers adventuring to monarchy."

     "I see. And where is that faerie, come to think of it?" Drake asked.

     "Sprite has gone to visit Imilda. She's one of the oldest and wisest faeries in Hyrule. Sprite is hoping that Imilda may be able to explain Trenon's magic. Like her, I am fearful, for that was truly powerful. With having almost three Triforces, we should have been able to overcome that solid apparition, yet it all happened so fast," Impa said, turning back to Drake.

     "There's only one thing. Either he or Ganon have discovered a magic source that is as powerful as the Triforce," Drake replied.

     "Let's just hope Link and Charles don't fall victim to it," Impa said. Drake nodded.

     "I'm going after them," he stated. Impa nodded.

     "Take Master Aaron, Prince Nick and the rest of your friends . Their help will be invaluable. Link must return soon, for Zelda's protection spell is fading, and only he can cast one that is almost as powerful," she said. Drake bowed slightly.

     "We shall set off at once," he said.

     "I'll pray that you all return safely," Impa replied.

     "Imilda?" Sprite called, stepping in the old faerie's secret home inside a great old oak tree. Her friend and mentor was nowhere to be seen. The faerie princess looked around worriedly. Then she heard a weak voice, calling to her. She rushed up the wooden steps, and into Imilda's bedroom. Imilda was lying in bed, looking sick and pale. She beckoned to Sprite, and she quickly ran over to the bed. "Imilda, what's the matter? Are you sick?" Sprite cried anxiously.

     "My pretty Princess, I'm so glad that you're here," Imilda said.

     "Can I help you?" Sprite asked.

     "Sprite, my time is drawing near, there is little that I can do about it. However, there is something that you can do," Imilda told her.

     "What? But I thought you were supposed to live forever!" Sprite cried unhappily.

     "I have been blessed with a long life Princess, and during my time upon this world I have seen and learnt many things. But, my life will soon end, and time is running out," Imilda replied sadly.

     "No! Imilda you can't die!" Sprite cried unhappily. She loved Imilda the way Zelda and Link loved Impa.

     "Please don't be sad for me, my child. But listen," Imilda continued. Sprite nodded silently. "A new magic is here… almost as powerful as the Triforce. But it is an evil magic of begotten times," Imilda began. Sprite listened intently, knowing that Imilda's story could prove important.

     "An ancient artefact, created by the Hylian mage Nagul, has been discovered by Ganon, and he can do much damage with it. Nagul used to live in a tall tower in the Midoro mountains. Princess, that tower still remains, hidden in the high peaks. During a sunny day, you can sometimes see it in Midoro, yet it is always cloudy there. He was so jealous of the Hyrulian Royal Family, and like Ganon, he yearned for power. Year after year, he sat in his dark tower, experimenting with various kinds of magic. He often applied to join the royal magic guild, yet each time he was turned away, for they believed Nagul to be nothing more than an eccentric, stuck up in that tower. So he became bitter and angry. His sole aim in life was to destroy the King and his family. Nagul finally created an object that could do this; a talisman which when worn, could project great magical powers to the wearer, enabling him to conjure up and control images as if they were real." Sprite gasped.

     "That's exactly what Trenon did!" she exclaimed in horror.

     "Shh pretty one, and let me continue," Imilda said, nodding. "Nagul's now twisted mind became filled with big plans. Plans of an army that would attack North Castle. He tested out his army spell in Midoro swamp, and plotted to overthrow the King in this way. However, he was discovered by one of the King's most noble knights, Sir Rohim. Sir Rohim informed the King, and during the night, Rohim braved the perils of Midoro Swamp, and entered the tower. However, Nagul was waiting for him, and drove a dagger through the knight's heart, as he ascended the stairs. The vile Nagul had been hidden in the shadows," Imilda finished. Sprite looked surprised. She had been expecting Sir Rohim to kill Nagul.

     "So what happened next?" she asked.

     Imilda patted the bed, asking Sprite to sit down. The faerie did so, and waited quietly for Imilda to continue her story. "When the people heard of Nagul's foul act, they banded together and attacked him. It is said that he used his talisman, I think it was a medallion, to make a large army of men fight against the people, but in the end, the King's men prevailed, indeed it was supposed to be Rohim's younger brother Rohan was the one who destroyed the wizard. As for the medallion, it was thrown into the deepest depths of Midoro Swamp, never to be seen again. Until now of course," Imilda finished. Sprite stared at the wise old faerie with wide eyes.

     "As powerful as the Triforce?" she breathed. "With the right user yes. But not quite. Nagul's magic was astounding, the bodies of his conjured army lay dead in the swamp for days after. It was only when Nagul's putrid body was reduced to ashes, that they disappeared for good," Imilda replied. A hand flew to Sprite's mouth as a horrible thought crossed her mind. What if Zelda… surely it wasn't true? That she was never dead, but Trenon had tricked them into thinking that she was?

     "Imilda, how can we stop Ganon and Trenon if they really do have Nagul's talisman?" she asked.

     "The Triforce, my Princess. Restore the Triforce, and turn the medallion's power against it's wearer," Imilda replied simply.

     "But … there's no-one to use it, even if we did find all the pieces!" Sprite cried.

     "Your Princess may not be dead. Only she has the ability to use all three at once. You must find out if she's alive!" Imilda said. Sprite nodded .

     "Link and Charles headed for Death Mountain this very morning!" the faerie exclaimed.

     "Then they may be in great danger! Hurry Sprite, you must make sure that they don't fight Trenon! And you must try to complete the Triforce!" Imilda said, her voice beginning to waver. Her magical faerie glow began to fade, and Sprite was still stood there as the old faerie breathed her last. So she was never aware of a tall, burly man reaching into the tree to grab her until it was too late…

     Kylara sat perched on the wall, watching the guards spar with each other. She felt a light tap on her shoulder. It was, what was her name again? Fayette. She smiled faintly. "What's this about your connection with Link?" asked Fayette sweetly.

     "Well it's a pretty long story, but by lore we should marry. It's the only honourable thing to do, well at least in Catalia it is anyway," said Kylara softly.

     "What do you mean?" asked Fayette, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. Kylara shook her head.

     "Perhaps now that he has no obligations here he'll come back to Catalia with me," mused Kylara oblivious to Fayette's question. Fayette smiled at the girl then walked away, it looked as though the knight in shining armour did have feet of clay after all.

     Link wiped his forehead, still clutching his sword. This part of Death Mountain seemed to be swarming with creatures. He and Charles had just disposed of a group of stalfos when a huge Skulltulla swooped down on to them. "Is it always like this?" asked Charles, deflecting one of the spiders blows.

     "I thought these were extinct," complained Link, not answering Charles's question. Link quickly disposed of the creature and they continued on their way.

     "How much longer?" asked Charles breathlessly.

     "Not much longer," answered an all too familiar voice behind them. Link whirled around, slicing his sword through the air.

     "Trenon," he snarled.

     "Oh, I see you know my name well now. How touching," commented Trenon. Link stabbed his sword towards Trenon, missing him by inches.

     "Tsk, tsk, Link. Is that a way to treat an old acquaintance?" asked Trenon, sneering. Link noticed a shiny amulet hanging around Trenon's neck.

     "What's that?" asked Link, pointing his sword towards the necklace. Trenon looked down at the amulet and took hold of it.

     "This? Nothing that'll interest you," he said casually. Link knew that some sorcerers held their power in an object, such as a necklace. He quickly upper-cutted with his sword and tore the amulet from Trenon's neck. He threw it to the floor and as Trenon dived for it he was impaled by Link's blade. Link withdrew his sword from Trenon's back, and wiped it clean of the black, rotting blood.

     "That was too easy," said Charles, his eyes darting back and forth.

     "You're right, where's Ganon?" replied Link, kicking Trenon's limp body to the side of the passage. His boot went straight through the corpse. "Ughh," he said in distaste, carefully withdrawing his boot.

     "Rather you than me," said Charles chuckling.

     "Rather him than me," shot back Link, looking at Trenon's body. "Uh-oh," he said, spotting sparks fizzing around Trenon's hands. He began to back away.

     "What?" asked Charles.

     "Run!" ordered Link, running down the passage. Seconds later they both heard an explosion down the passage. "Looks like he spontaneously combusts when he's dead," commented Charles quietly. "I hope it doesn't cause a cave in," said Link nervously. He looked down the passage that lay out in front of them. "Let's find Ganon. I intend to make him pay," said Link quietly, setting off down the passage.

     "What was that?" asked Aaron, pointing his sword to a charred corpse.

     "I don't know," replied Drake.

     "I hope it was of Link's doing, 'cos that means we're on his trail!" said Dion, shining his torch along the passage.

     "Perhaps if we hurry we might be able to catch them," suggested Damon. Drake nodded in agreement.

     "Yeah, you're right. We've been pretty sluggish until now," he agreed. With renewed vigour, the party set back off down the passage.

     "Ah Link, it's so nice to see you again," cackled Ganon as Link entered the throne room.

     "I wish I could say the same," retorted Link, eyeing the wizard carefully.

     "So sorry to hear about Zelda. Such a shame," said Ganon, almost sincerely.

     "I'm sure you are," spat back Link, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

     "But I'm sure Princess Fayette will be a much better ruler," continued on Ganon.

     "Oh I'm sure she will be. From your point of view," replied Link.

     "I must say that I'm very disappointed in Trenon. Throwing his life away for some little trinket," went on Ganon slyly. "Skoll! Aspete!" Ganon clicked his fingers. His two henchmen appeared in huge puffs of smoke.

     "Do as you wish with them," he said offhandedly before disappearing. Skoll and Aspete both made a beeline for Link, but Charles stopped Aspete in his tracks.

     "Thanks!" shouted Link to Charles. Now he only had to deal with the Stalfos. Skoll charged up to him, pointing his sword directly in front of him. Link deflected the blow with his shield then quickly delivered a series of blows to Skoll. He preferred dealing with the moblin - you knew if you were doing any damage but you never knew with a pile of bones.

     "You ain't such a good hero if ya can't protect dat stoopid princess!" taunted Skoll. Link gritted his teeth and delivered another series of hard-hitting blows. Skoll managed to deflect a few, but not all, of the blows. Link stepped back as Skoll delivered another hit then sliced his sword through the air, cutting off the skeleton's bony hand. It clattered to the floor, along with the sword that it had been holding.

     "Too bad, you lose bone head," grinned Link, taking a bomb from his bag and sticking it between the hapless skeleton's ribs. Link quickly paced away to join in with Charles, and a few moments later an explosion ripped through the room sending a shower of bones onto them. Just as Link arrived next to Charles, the King delivered a fatal blow which instantly killed the moblin. "Nice work," commented Link.

     "You weren't so bad yourself," replied Charles smiling. Link then turned and strode over to Ganon's throne.

     "Ganon, if you don't come out I'm gonna go ahead and smash that evil jar!" called Link. Ganon instantly materialised, and shot a bolt of magic toward Link. Link calmly stepped out of the way then rose his shield. Ganon sneered. Suddenly Link heard a whoosh from behind him and a blazing arrow flew through the air towards Ganon. Link turned his head and saw Drake, Dion, Aaron, Damon and Nick. Link waved then turned his attention back to Ganon. He was on fire. He began to screech but it was all incomprehensible. Just before he vanished Link noticed something glinting in his hand, but he quickly dismissed it and jogged over to Drake and the rest. "Hey!" he called to them as he approached them.

     "Hey yourself! Seen Trenon on your travels?" asked Drake.

     "Yeah, he's dead," replied Charles walking over to the group.

     "He's dead!? How?" asked Dion.

     "I stabbed him in the back. Literally," answered Link.

     "Hey, that's dishonourable," joked Drake.

     "Only as dishonourable as the next person," defended Link.

     "You shouldn't have come out here without telling us," scolded Drake.

     "Aww, come on. We're still okay," replied Charles dismissively.

     "Yeah you are. But you might not have been. What then?" said Drake sternly.

     "This place. It gives me the creeps. How about we head on home," said Dion glancing around the huge throne room.

     "Yeah, the sooner we get away from here the better," agreed Drake. Just before they turned round to leave Death Mountain, a strange feeling washed over Link. He would've sworn someone was trying to contact him, telepathically. But only Zelda could do that, and she, she was gone, wasn't she? Link shook his head. Dion was right, they had to get away from this place. He turned around and trudged onward to follow the others. Getting away from Hyrule would definitely be the best thing for now, he decided as he walked on.

     Link and the rest were grateful as North Castle came into sight. As they all walked into the Great Hall, they were met by the King. "I am glad that you are all back," he said. "This afternoon is the formal ceremony of the appointment of Hyrule's new heir, so please get dressed up," he stated, not even enquiring on what had happened at Death Mountain.

     "What?" Link said in surprise.

     "They're appointing Fayette, Link," Drake explained.

     "Oh," he replied softly, feeling slightly hurt. However, he smiled at the King. "Give Fayette my best wishes," he said, before turning and walking off to his room. The King didn't notice that Link was upset, but Drake and a few others did.

     "Should I go and talk to him?" Selina asked.

     "No, leave him," Drake replied.

     "It's so unfair. I would have chosen Link over Fayette any day," Aaron said. Damon nodded.

     "He's done so much for Hyrule, he and Zelda together did so much. It's only right that he gets rewarded." Drake sighed.

     "Friends, I was asked by the King myself to become King, but I felt that Link deserved it more. However, knowing how he is, if the King had asked, he would have declined anyway. He's just feeling hurt that he didn't get asked in the first place," he said. Selina looked unconvinced.

     "Fayette isn't even from Hyrule!" she said angrily.

     "You Hyrulians are so set in your traditions! Perhaps your new little princess will do a good job if you give her a chance!" Dion suddenly spoke up. Aside from Nick and Charles, he just received stubborn glares from the others.

     "No-one will want Fayette," Aaron said.

     "People, if I may just speak," Nick said. Drake nodded. "I have spent time with the princess, and she appears to be an extremely nice girl, although hardly the maiden I want. However, it seems that almost all of you here hold an evident dislike over her, and I do feel like Dion. Perhaps you should give her a chance," Nick said. Selina still looked sulky, and Aaron, Damon and Drake looked unsure. However, they nodded.

     "Perhaps the responsibility will make her grow up. But it's Zelda and Link who the people want. Now Zelda is gone, and Link will suffer more than anyone else in this room, even His Majesty the King. So perhaps he was right to choose Fayette," Drake concluded.

     "Maybe," Selina sniffed, and Aaron just shrugged.

     Link looked around his room sadly. His room, his home even, for the last past seven years almost. For seven whole years, he had served the Hyrulian Royal Family. Fought for them, protected them, ate with them, celebrated with them, even fallen in love with one of them. Now it just felt like nothing. Perhaps the King had never liked him anyway, had never approved of his and Zelda's friendship. But thinking of all the good times past, he decided that wasn't true. But with Fayette in power, things might be so different. Perhaps it was time to go back home. Without Zelda, it felt like there was nothing left in Hyrule for him. Maybe he should go back to Catalia, go back with Kylara to Gardarika. He'd trained up Aaron as an excellent apprentice, and he was almost 17, more than old enough to accept responsibility of Triforce Protector. And yet… he felt a strong sense of loyalty to Hyrule and its people. Ganon was still not dead, and therefore still a threat. He knew he was Hyrule's best hero and was proud of that fact, but there were others who were almost as good. His good friends… Aaron, Drake, Damon, Selina… Perhaps they would be okay without him. He looked around the room again, trying to make the decision. Did Catalia need him as much as Hyrule? Should he devote the rest of his life to serving his birth country? He walked over to the Triforces and looked at them. Almost three. There were only four of five shards missing, for the faeries had been working hard to find them. He suddenly wondered where Sprite was, he hadn't seen his companion since the previous day. If there was one person who could keep him back, it was Sprite. He and the faerie shared a deep affinity, not like the one he and Zelda had, that had been more of an attraction, but of a friendly fondness. She'd been his first real friend in Hyrule, and he knew he'd miss her. Impa too. She was like the grandmother he'd never had. He sighed. It was no use just standing there thinking of the things that could keep him in Hyrule. It was time for a change, and he had to get away. Too many memories of Zelda lingered here at North Castle, in fact they were almost everywhere in Hyrule. Catalia gave him bad memories, but they had faded over time, and the fresher ones of Hayden and Zelda took precedence instead. Link packed quickly, simply taking his most treasured possessions and keepsakes, weapons and clothes. He'd leave without telling anyone, after Hayden's and Zelda's funerals, which would take place on consecutive days that week. For one last moment, he stood out on the balcony , gazing across to Zelda's tower, as if she might suddenly appear there. He made up his mind to go to her room, just to take a little thing that might remind him of her.

     So, three nights later, before he called on Kylara, Link sneaked up to Zelda's room. He did it the dangerous way; swinging across on a rope from his balcony. Luckily, he'd tried it so many times that it was almost an art. He looked around her room, suddenly feeling sad again. Everything was in its proper place, so neat and orderly. He wandered over to her desk, and opened a drawer. Inside were her journals. Link felt bad about prying, he wouldn't have when she had lived, not that he'd ever had a chance to read her private thoughts, for she had never left him alone in her bedroom. Underneath the books lay a collection of letters. He picked up one, and with a start, realised it was from him. When he had been younger, he'd tried capturing her attention a variety of different ways. Notes, sent over from his balcony to hers, had been one method. He'd always figured that she'd thrown them a way, but looking through, his heart heavy, he realised that she'd kept every single one. Why couldn't she have admitted her feelings sooner? he thought sadly, replacing the notes where he'd found them. Sitting down on the bed, he glanced briefly through her diaries. As long back as when they had met, in her words he read of her compelling attraction towards him, her confusion and shyness over the matter. He didn't know whether to feel pleased or not, not that it mattered now of course. He put them back. Looking around, there wasn't really anything he could take after all, perhaps it was better not to. Instead, he left the room without looking back, and made for Kylara's room.

     Sprite attempted to blast the door of her cage off, but it was magically locked. She'd been caught by a notorious faerie hunter, and had been trapped for nearly four days. "It's no use missy, you'll never get out," said one of the faeries who shared her prison. Sprite scowled.

     "Of course I will! It's just too bad that I'm not strong enough to lift this stupid spell," she retorted, flipping her curls indignantly.

     "Princess, surely your parents will notice you are missing?" another faerie said.

     "They wouldn't. I don't even live with them. I left, because of Fleur, remember?" Sprite answered, studying the cage intently. On the first day, she'd exhausted all of her power trying to undo the magical cage. The spell must have been extremely powerful though, because she couldn't seem to destroy it. She wished Felicity was here, Felicity could oppose almost any kind of magic.

     "He's supposed to be working for Ganon, you know. Some say he's doing research on us, so that Ganon can find a way to use our magical powers," one faerie said in a dark tone.

     "Well, isn't that just like him!" Sprite said angrily. She was worried about Link; how had he fared with Ganon all those days ago? Had he found Zelda?

     "Coincidence, that we're so near Death Mountain, too," another faerie added. Sprite paced. Stuck here for almost four days, and she couldn't escape. Or had any help arrived. At that moment, her captor walked up to the cage. Muttering something Sprite couldn't hear, he removed a magical key from his pocket, and put it in the cage. Sprite realised that this might be her only chance to escape. As he opened the cage door, she sent her most powerful bolt of faerie magic out at his incoming hand. It hit, and the man pulled his hand out in surprise, his hand burning.

     "Come on you idiots!" Sprite cried to the assortment of faeries behind her. "Get moving, else you'll never be free!" she cried, flying out of the cage. The hunter was quick to grab his net, sweeping it to attempt to catch her. "Not so fast!" Sprite retorted at him, letting loose another magic missile, while watching out of the corner of her eye to see if the other faeries got out safely. A few helped her attack the hunter, and as they did so, Sprite flew out towards the door.

     The faerie found herself in an underground passage way. She guessed that Ganon's caverns had to be somewhere fairly nearby, if the other faeries had been telling the truth. "Don't hang around, princess!" said one, flying past her. Sprite decided to take the advice, and flew down the passageway as fast as she could. Five minutes later, she was convinced that the faerie hunter would have lost her in the darkness. What kind of person would work for Ganon anyway? What a traitor! Probably one of Trenon's kind, the faerie thought to herself. Now, all she had to worry about was whether Link had defeated Ganon and Trenon, and discovered that Zelda wasn't really dead. And moblins, of course. She shuddered at the thought of the dog-faced monsters, they were her greatest fear, and seemed to somehow have built-in faerie detectors. Flying high up to the roof of the cavern, she hoped that she would be safe from any surprises. The only monsters that hid high up were just ache bats, and she could handle them. Sighing, she flew onwards, attempting to gather her bearings. Her natural sense of direction told her she was on the right path. She just hoped she'd reach the heart of Death Mountain sooner than later.

     "What do you mean, gone?" Drake demanded.

     "He's not here. He's left," Aaron replied.

     "Who's left?" Fayette said, sweeping into the room, Nick by her side. Drake felt like telling her to mind her own business, but didn't because Nick was there.

     "Link," Aaron replied.

     "Are you sure? Perhaps he's just gone for a ride," Selina said sensibly.

     "He left a note in his room. He's truly gone for good," Aaron replied unhappily.

     "A note? Where is it now? Give it to me," Drake commanded. Aaron handed over the piece of paper he'd found only a few minutes ago. It read;

     "Well, isn't that just great?" Drake muttered darkly.

     "I understand how he feels," Selina said softly. Aaron nodded sadly, remembering their companion Aramis, who had tragically been killed not so long ago. Selina, although she kept up a cheerful demeanour in front of her friends, was still hurting over it. He'd been her only true love. Drake looked like he was going to say something, but then didn't.

     "Whatever will mother and Harkinian say?" Fayette declared. Her mother and step father, the King of Hyrule had set off for a trip to Sosaria only two days ago. They'd never had their honeymoon, and they'd felt the break would do them good, especially after Zelda's untimely death. Now Fayette was in charge, and while she acted as mournful as everyone else, several people had noticed how much she was enjoying her new position.

     "Well, it's the boy's choice, if he doesn't want to stay. There's nothing His Royal Highness, the King, can do about it," Drake answered.

     "But what if that nasty Ganon attacks?" Fayette immediately wailed.

     "We're competent enough to cope, Princess Fayette. Although, yes, we'll certainly miss Link's skills of course," Aaron replied, fingering his sword hilt nervously. Fayette looked at them all.

     "Well, you haven't got much choice, have you?" she declared coldly. She turned to Nick and smiled at him. "Come on Nicolas, let's go to the drawing room for a while, before dinner is served," she suggested to him. He gave her an apologetic smile.

     "I'm afraid I can't, Faye. There's something I rather need to discuss with Sir Drake," he replied. Fayette looked slightly angry, but she was quick to smile.

     "Of course. Well, I shall see you all during dinner," she said, exiting the room in a graceful fashion.

     "Really Nick, you can't be serious about marrying her, can you?" Drake said.

     "Well Drake, she can be rather charming when she pleases to be. She is a nice girl, just a little misled, I think. Probably her mother's fault," Nick defended loyally. Drake grinned.

     "Sorry, we just never got off on the right foot, Fayette and I," he apologised. Damon, Dion and Charles suddenly entered the Great Hall, bows slung over shoulders.

     "Greetings, amigos," Dion said.

     "You'll never believe what someone in Ruto told us," Damon said, looking troubled.

     "What?" Selina asked.

     "It's to do with your hero, Link," Charles explained.

     "That he's left?" Drake asked. "How did you know?" Damon enquired.

     "Aaron found his goodbye note," Nick said.

     "I see. We stopped by Ruto for lunch, and one of the barmaids there said that Link, and a dark haired girl had stayed there the previous night," Damon began.

     "That young lady he brought back from Catalia? Miss Kylara?" Drake asked.

     "Yes, Kylara, that's it. Well anyway, they left early this morning to board a ship bound for Catalia. But Anya, the barmaid, says she was chatting to Kylara the night before, and she said that Kylara says she and Link are going to Catalia where they can get married," Damon finished.

     "What?!" Drake cried, surprised.

     "Are you sure?" said Selina, equally shocked.

     "That's what she claims. And Anya's not one to gossip," Damon said.

     "But…" Aaron began, unable to say what he felt.

     "How could he?" Drake roared in anger. "He's been acting weird ever since he got back from Catalia, he must have been cheating on Zelda, and now she's out of the way, he and Kylara…" the knight stopped. Selina slowly shook her head.

     "No… no, Link's not like that. Anya must be mistaken, surely?"

     "But why would she lie?" Drake pressed.

     "Then it must be Kylara who is mistaken. Perhaps she's in love with him. I wouldn't be surprised if she was, and has mistaken his leaving, not because he's upset, but because he wants to be with her," Selina replied.

     "I know I don't know you all that well, but I know that Link was seriously in love with your Princess. He told me everything, when we went to Death Mountain a few days back. I think Selina may be right," Charles spoke up. Selina smiled across at the Lemmian king gratefully.

     "Yes, I agree," Nick said, nodding. Drake nodded too.

     "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions," he said ruefully. "I think we all almost did," Damon said quietly.

     "Let's not worry about this, amigos. Tell them our good news instead!" Dion suddenly said.

     "Oh… how could I forget?" Damon said. Charles handed him a sack.

     "Look what we found, whilst out hunting!" he said sounding excited. The woodsman pulled out a glowing piece of blue crystal - a wisdom shard!

     "Oh, how wonderful! The faeries brought us another piece only this morning! Why, that could be the last piece!" Drake said excitedly.

     "Let's go and see!" Selina said, her eyes shining.

     "It is! Our Triforce is finally complete! Why Zel…" Aaron trailed off there. Everyone looked solemn, but it didn't stop them from rushing up to the Triforce tower to restore the Triforce of Wisdom.

     Sprite hovered nervously around Ganon's throne room. The evil wizard was seated in his throne, holding something shiny up. Nagul's amulet? she wondered, flying closer to see if she could get a better look. The round golden amulet hung from a gold chain. It had to be the artefact Imilda had told her about, no mistaking it. "Skoll! Aspete!" Ganon suddenly screeched. Sprite flew upwards, frightened. She hoped that Ganon's moblin scout wouldn't be able to smell her. It was too late to do anything though, for the big moblin and his bony sidekick, the stalfos Skoll, had already entered the room.

     "Yeah, Your Evilness?" Skoll asked. Ganon leaned over towards them, still holding the amulet.

     "The time is almost ready," he said in an evil tone.

     "Uh, for what, Master?" Aspete asked dumbly.

     "For the final take-over! Link is gone, we must work before he gets wind of our attack and attempts to return. My spies tell me that they have all three Triforces, but while Zelda remains locked up here, they have no-one to strong enough to attempt to use them against me. Between this amulet, and having our two trouble makers out of the way, I shall be invincible!" Ganon screeched. Sprite gasped in horror, the colour draining from her face at Ganon's words.

     "Er, so when do us attack, den?" Aspete enquired.

     "We shall get them when they least expect it. In fact, we'll attack tomorrow night!" Ganon answered. Sprite had heard enough. Zelda is here! I must help her! The faerie thought. She felt worried, Ganon sounded so confident... And, oh no! If Ganon says that Link is gone… What if he has kept his word, and has gone back to Catalia! Or if Ganon and Trenon have killed him? the faerie thought in horror. She listened to see if Ganon said anymore, but he didn't. She flew off in the direction of Ganon's dungeon. Zelda was Hyrule's last hope, if Link truly was gone.

     "Zelda!" Sprite whispered. The Princess looked up hopefully. She looked tired, and worried.

     "Sprite!" she exclaimed.

     "Shh!" the faerie ordered.

     "Where's Link?" Zelda asked.

     "I'll answer your questions later, Zelda," Sprite replied.

     "Well, can you at least get me free?" Zelda then demanded. Sprite scowled.

     "I'm doing my best!" she snapped.

     "Well, sorry! But you took your time getting here," Zelda retorted.

     "If you must know, I also spent the last four days locked up," Sprite answered, firing off a bolt of magic on one of Zelda's bonds.

     "Try a week!" Zelda replied, looking angry.

     "Oh, do shut up. Someone might hear," Sprite said, working her magic on the other bond. A few moments later, thanks to Sprite, Zelda was free from her bonds. Now all that remained was the door. Sprite flew back through the bars. "Don't force it," she ordered. "Where are the cell keys kept?"

     "I'm not sure, they'll be nearby though. Ganon always handed them over to one of his guards," Zelda answered. Sprite flew along the passage. It was luckily quiet, there must not have been any monsters on duty, Sprite found some keys just left on a peg. She lifted them, made them smaller with a spell, and carried them back to where Zelda was waiting. She made the bigger once more, and passed them through to the Princess, who unlocked the door quickly. "How often does Ganon come to see you?" Sprite whispered.

     "Once or twice a day," Zelda said. She saw an axe leaning against the wall, and picked it up. "He's been trying to get me to remove the spell from the tower, but a day ago, he came back and said that he might have a better way to get Hyrule to hand over the Triforce," she said. Sprite shivered.

     "We must get back to North Castle at once!" she said.

     The two slipped through most of Ganon's domain unnoticed. Twice they were attacked, but they managed to get rid of the monsters get away before any sort of alarm was raised. It was dark when they reached the outskirts of Death Mountain, taking a long passage which came out near the east coast of Hyrule. As they crossed the bridge which led across to the northern part of West Hyrule, Sprite explained what had happened in the events after Zelda had 'died'. "Link went into awful mourning, he thought that it was all his fault," Sprite began. "How could he even think that I was dead?" Zelda asked.

     "I don't know, but that was one strange illusion. It looked, and felt real. And you were gone," Sprite replied. Zelda nodded.

     "I had a feeling that it might happen like that. But then I know that Link came to Death Mountain. Ganon was with me when a messenger informed him," Zelda said. Sprite looked puzzled.

     "I can't help you anymore there, I was captured on my way to Death Mountain, after I'd spoken with Imilda."

     "Why did you see Imilda?" Zelda asked.

     "Wait. Link and Charles went to seek vengeance on Trenon. I left them to it, to see Imilda about something," Sprite answered.

     "Yes, but Link must not have known I was here. Ganon came back and told me he'd left, and that he was none the wiser about me. I think he must have killed Trenon, for I never saw him after that," Zelda replied.

     "Well… that's strange. Ganon said that Link was out of the way…" Sprite began. "What?" Zelda exclaimed.

     "I think… I think he may have gone back to Catalia," Sprite replied.

     "Why?" Zelda questioned.

     "He… I'm not sure, he was feeling sad for you and wanted to get away. But I don't know, he just mentioned it to me, that he might go," Sprite answered. Zelda paused. They were walking along the Great Coast Road. It could be several hours before they reached Mido, or indeed, North Castle. She glanced nervously across at the graveyard on the other side of the road. Then she looked at Sprite.

     "So Link isn't here?" she asked. The faerie shrugged.

     "As soon as I escaped today, I came straight to find you. I have no idea," she said. Zelda frowned.

     "I have a bad feeling," she murmured.

     "I'm not surprised. Don't you know that Ganon is in possession of the Amulet of Nagul?" Sprite asked. Zelda looked puzzled.

     "The amulet of what?" she asked. Sprite sighed.

     "Zelda, it's a dangerous artefact," she explained.

     "Well I certainly haven't heard of it," Zelda answered, folding her arms, and walking off. Sprite flew after her.

     "Listen!" she ordered.

     "I'm listening," Zelda said, her tone sulky. Sprite then began to relate to the Princess the tale that Imilda had told her.

     "What? Your Highness?!" the guard stammered, shock written over his face as he recognised Zelda in the light of the nearby torch. She'd sneaked inside through the secret passage through the well, but had been stopped outside Link's tower.

     "It's me," she replied.

     "No… no… it can't be. You are some vile trick of Ganon's!" the guard exclaimed.

     "If I was, then I wouldn't be able to step through this very door. You know the tower is protected with my most powerful spell to ward off evil," Zelda replied.

     "It really is her! She was never dead, that was just a trick of Ganon's!" Sprite replied. The guard looked confused, and uncertain.

     "You'll need to give me some sort of proof," he finally said.

     "Where is my Father?" Zelda demanded, looking angry.

     "He.. he, isn't here, your Highness," the guard stammered.

     "Well, where is he?" Zelda questioned.

     "Away in Sosaria with Lady Fenella, Your Highness," the guard managed to reply.

     "Well, what about Link? Is it true he's gone to Catalia?" Zelda then asked. "Well… yes, Your Highness," the guard replied.

     "I see. Well, I have to see Aaron Westley at once!" Zelda ordered.

     "I'm afraid I can't let you do that," the guard said apologetically.

     "Excuse me?" Zelda questioned in disbelief.

     "Well… Your Highness… Her Highness, Princess Fayette says that everyone who visits the castle must report to her," the guard explained. Zelda glared at the guard.

     "Fayette's in charge?" she cried incredulously.

     "Well… yes," the guard said. He was looking confused now.

     "Well, since I happen to be the true heir of Hyrule, and my father isn't here, doesn't that make ME in charge?" Zelda decided. The guard looked bewildered.

     "I'm really not sure," he finally said.

     "Goodness, what has come over everyone?!" Zelda said angrily. She turned to the guard. "This is a royal offence! Let me past at once!" she demanded. The guard blocked her way.

     "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but Princess Fayette ordered this that this tower was off-limits to everyone but herself earlier today."

     "Well I'm ordering that it isn't off-limits to me and my friends!" Zelda declared imperiously. Still angry, she asked, "And why has Link gone to Catalia ?" The guard looked nervous.

     "Your Highness, I…" he began, stopping.

     "Well?" Zelda intoned impatiently.

     "I told you why!" Sprite shrieked. Zelda ignored the faerie. The guard hesitated for a moment. "Well… Your Highness, I don't wish to gossip, but…"

     "But what?!" Zelda questioned.

     "Well, he… Link… I heard some of the other guards saying that he'd gone to Catalia with Miss Kylara…" the guard started.

     "Kylara?" Zelda cut in. The guard nodded.

     "Now Zelda…" Sprite began.

     "Was she that brown-haired girl he was sat with at my father's wedding?" she asked. The guard nodded. "Oh, I just knew it as soon as I saw her with him! How could he do this to me?!" she cried. She pushed past the guard, who was too surprised to stop her. Sprite just gave the guard a helpless look. "You know what she's like," she said, flying up past him to follow the Princess.

     Zelda ran all the way up to the top of the tower, never stopping to catch her breath once. Upon reaching the top, she realised that the door had been locked. The key was more than likely hidden somewhere in Fayette's room. She knelt down, and felt around the wall for the loose block where she and Link had hidden the spare key. She found it, and withdrew the old iron key that was behind it. Smiling slightly, she pushed it in the lock, turned it, and opened the door. It was pitch black inside the room, but there was the Triforce, glowing brightly in the middle of the room, even though no candles were lit, and the windows were tightly closed and locked. In fact, upon closer inspection, she realised that all three COMPLETE Triforces were stood upon the pedestal. "This can't be true," she said aloud, stepping closer. It wasn't fused together, each part was still separate. From reading the old Hylian texts, Zelda knew that once it was fused, the Triforce would turn into a golden colour, not yellow, like the Triforce of Courage, but truly golden. However, she wasn't sure how it could be done. "Three Triforces…" she murmured, her current anger at Link melting away, forgotten, as she stared incredulously at the sight before her.

     "Zelda?" Sprite called quietly. Zelda turned to the faerie.

     "Did you do this?" she asked.

     "Mostly. But I didn't know that it was complete either. People must have found the last piece or so whilst we were captured," the faerie said.

     "Then we have the means to finally destroy Ganon, if the legend holds true!" Zelda said, pacing thoughtfully.

     "Well, well, well," came a sarky voice. Zelda turned to see Fayette. She frowned.

     "Fayette! How dare you order that no-one is allowed here but you!" she cried.

     "I thought that guard was seeing things," Fayette said. She looked rather shocked.

     "How could you all fall for a magical trick?" Zelda cried.

     "I don't understand…" Fayette began, stepping back. Zelda noted that she looked frightened.

     "It's me, I was never dead, can't you see that?" Zelda exclaimed impatiently.

     "Well, whatever happened, your Father left me in charge. ME, not YOU," Fayette then said.

     "Oh Fayette, please get that silly idea out of your head at once!" Zelda complained.

     "Yes well, alright, we've established that you're very much alive. But what a pity you've come back and your beloved boyfriend isn't here," Fayette replied in a sneering tone. Zelda looked away, suddenly remembering.

     "He'll come back," she said quietly.

     "Oh yeah? Everybody knows that he just couldn't wait to run off with that country girl of his, what was she called?" Fayette remarked, smirking. Zelda blinked her tears away.

     "That's not true!" she said, wishing it was.

     "Oh poor Zelda, how betrayed you must feel," Fayette continued.

     "Shut up! You have no right to say those things! It's nothing to do with you!" Zelda cried.

     "I think I should go and get the others," Sprite said quietly. But the two Princesses were too busy glaring at each other to listen to the faerie. She flew out of the room.

     "Well, you are my sister. I do care about you, you know," Fayette remarked.

     "I will never agree to that! We're not related, not by blood anyway, and you don't care about me. Not in the slightest," Zelda retorted.

     "Well, you should have known better, than to get off with some peasant boy. They have no morals you know, such terrible flirts. You need a prince," Fayette answered.

     "Don't refer to Link that way!" Zelda replied angrily.

     "Like Nicolas, for example," Fayette continued.

     "I love Link, and he loves me," Zelda interrupted.

     "He must have loved Kylara more. I think he was only after your money and power," Fayette said, folding her arms, and looking at Zelda. Zelda turned away, and studied the Triforce intently.

     "No," she said simply. "You're wrong, Faye."

     "Oh well, I can see I'm not getting through to you. But it's too late now, he's already gone," Fayette replied.

     "Leave me alone," Zelda said, her tone soft and quiet. She wiped the tears away from her eyes again.

     "What the?" came a familiar voice. Zelda turned back to the doorway. Drake walked in, followed by Aaron, Selina, Nick, Dion, Damon and Charles. Drake hugged Zelda, and kissed her on the cheek. "You are safe!" he said. Zelda slipped out of his embrace, and stepped away from them all.

     "Is it true about Link?" she questioned, before they could ask her anything. An uncertain look passed around the group.

     "Well…" Drake began.

     "You don't have to lie, so as not to hurt my feelings!" the Princess snapped.

     "Yes, my lady, he went back to Catalia," Nick said.

     "That's not all, is it?!" Zelda interrupted.

     "Er, he went with Kylara, Princess," Aaron said quickly.

     "So everyone knows," Zelda said. She walked around, looking angry and upset at the same time.

     "Princess…" Drake began.

     "Oh be quiet! Don't make excuses for him!" Zelda said. Impa walked in.

     "Zelda!" she exclaimed. The Princess turned to see the old Hylian woman.

     "Impa!" she said, rushing over, and hugging her. Then she stepped away, and faced everyone. "Ganon is going to attack us tomorrow evening, and he has a very powerful artefact," she started.

     "What?" Drake asked.

     "I'm coming to that," Zelda replied. "Sprite! Fly to Catalia at once, and get Link back here at once!" she ordered.

     "He'll never make it for tomorrow night!" the faerie said.

     "I don't care! Go now!" Zelda said. Sprite flew away quickly.

     "Now listen," Zelda said, turning to everyone else.

     Link glanced out at the sea, watching as the waves crashed rhythmically against the walls of the cliff. He couldn't believe he'd left Hyrule so hastily. What if Ganon attacked North Castle, who would use the Triforce? It was true that they'd had all three Triforces but without Zelda to harness it's power, the Triforce was virtually useless. A lump formed in his throat at the thought of Zelda, how could he have lost her so easily? And Hayden as well, his long lost brother- who he had thought dead years ago. He stifled back a sob and bit his lip. Getting away from Hyrule had not eased the pain, it had worsened it. He needed his friends now, not to be away from them. What had he been thinking coming to Catalia? He barely even knew Kylara, let alone wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He knew he should return to Hyrule immediately but he was too proud. He didn't want people to think that he was an indecisive idiot who didn't know which way was which. And it had become blatantly obvious that the King found him unnecessary now that they had recovered all of the Triforce. The King has probably disapproved of him and Zelda in the first place, Link a mere peasant marrying the Princess of Hyrule? What a joke! He hugged his knees tightly to his chest. Maybe he was better off here in Catalia. Suddenly Link heard a flapping of wings, slow and deliberate - like that of a dragon's! "Sal!" cried Link jumping up and waving to his scaly friend. The dragon promptly landed, shaking the ground as she did so.

     "Well there you are!" exclaimed Sal, smoke rising from her nostrils.

     "What are you doing here?" asked Link in surprise.

     "Well, I just thought you ought to know that Ganon attacks North Castle tomorrow night, he has the Amulet of Nagul," explained Sal.

     "What!" cried Link in horror.

     "What's the Amulet of Nagul?" continued Link.

     "Well, it was some kind of artefact that Trenon had found, of course when you killed Trenon Ganon grabbed the amulet to use for his own vile deeds. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but Ganon thinks it has as much power as the Triforces. But the thing is Ganon may attack sooner once he realises Zelda is free," explained Sal.

     "Zelda is free?" asked Link, dumb founded.

     "My, my, you do need to do a lot of catching up don't you," said Sal.

     "Get on my back, I'll explain everything on the way to Hyrule," said Sal shaking her head. Link hesitated and glanced back to the village.

     "Give me ten minutes," he said dashing towards the village.

     "Every second counts," reminded Sal as she patiently began to wait.

     Link ran into the small hut where Kylara was making dinner. "Kylara," asked Link breathlessly. She turned and smiled to him. "Hyrule is in trouble, I'm going back now," he said. Her smile soured.

     "What? You can't be expected to run off there every time something happens. You have your own life here now, not Hyrule," retorted Kylara. Link shook his head.

     "My heart is in Hyrule, not here. I'm going to Hyrule and I'm not returning. I don't love you Kylara, I never did and you never loved me either. My destiny lies in Hyrule, not here," replied Link. Kylara shook her head.

     "You can't leave now," she wailed.

     "I must. I'm sorry," said Link, before he ran from the hut.

     "Wait!" she cried, rushing out after him. But it was all in vain. Link had climbed onto the back of a large dragon, and was already flying away, towards the ocean. The wind whipped at her long brown hair, as she gazed out over the sea sadly. Perhaps it wasn't over yet, though. Something might draw Link back to Hyrule, but she just had to convince him that Catalia was his real home. She wandered back into the hut, and began to pack up a few things. She'd just have to catch another ship over to Hyrule and make him come back home with her…

     Sprite cast a glow spell on herself to light the way as she crossed the ocean. Suddenly she heard the flapping of wings in the distance. Out of the gloom emerged a huge dragon. She stifled a scream as it flew closer to her. It could see her now, especially as she glowed in the darkness. "Sprite," called a voice.

     "Link!" cried back Sprite. He was riding the dragon.

     "Oh, don't tell me you know her! I'm getting ever so hungry," complained Sal.

     "Not this faerie," said Link.

     "Or any other," added Sprite as she perched herself atop Link's shoulder. "Boy is Zelda angry with you," started Sprite.

     "Yeah, I know. But first things first, we need to worry about Ganon and this amulet of his," muttered Link. Sprite glanced down at the top of the dragon's head. "Oh," said Link taking the hint.

     "Sal, this is Sprite, Sprite, this is Sal," introduced Link.

     "Turncoat eh?" said Sprite.

     "Oh quite, I hate Ganon and his stupid little minions telling me to do this and that. Why I'd rather eat a nice fat moblin than a skinny little human, but Ganon doesn't tolerate it," explained Sal.

     "Is Zelda okay," asked Link, his voice full of concern.

     "Yeah, but she's in a right rage. When her father left he left Fayette in charge and now Fayette reckons that she has authority over Zelda," informed Sprite. Link shook his head.

     "How could I have been so stupid. Was she in Death Mountain? I could've rescued her days ago," started Link, he was clearly distressed.

     "Don't worry, she loves you, she forgives you. That is if you didn't do anything you shouldn't of done with Kylara," said Sprite.

     "I'm sure that reassured him," said Sal sarcastically.

     "I shared the boat ride with her," said Link.

     "Hmm, I think she'll forgive you. If you convince her that was all you shared. Fayette managed to make it out that you were getting married to her or something, due to, ahem, certain circumstances," said Sprite.

     "Oh like she'd believe that empty headed Sosarian," mocked Sal. Sprite glared at the top of Sal's head.

     "Oh, and what would you know?" she snapped.

     "Zelda's an intelligent woman, Fayette, is not so," said Sal.

     "You're right there," agreed Sprite. Link rolled his eyes. Why did females find it so necessary to bitch about one another? He shrugged his shoulders and stifled back a yawn. He had lost Hayden, and he may have lost Zelda, but he was feeling better than he had in days.

     "How much longer?" he interrupted the two.

     "We'll be at North Castle by mid-morning," said Sal.

     "Great," said Link, and let the two continue on with their conversation. He wished he could lie down, take a nap, but it would be impossible. Instead he began to examine the stars, seeing what constellations he could spot. As the moon began to rise, he felt himself drifting off, still clutching to the dragon as he slept.

     Zelda paced up and down in the tower room. After she and Impa had scoured the ancient texts it had been revealed that only the hero of the land and the Princess of destiny could fuse the Triforce so that it would become truly joined. She still couldn't believe that Link had left Hyrule so quickly, to marry another! Fayette entered the room. "Looks as though Link wasn't so perfect after all. I'm glad that I didn't try my charms on him, goodness knows what might of happened. I mean if all it takes is a pretty smile from some peasant…" she taunted. Zelda shot her daggers. Fayette returned the stare then after a while, Zelda began to pace once more.

     "Nick will never marry you," hissed Zelda.

     "Oh no, from what I've seen my conclusions are quite the contrary. I think he has fallen head-over-heels madly in love with me," said Fayette, inspecting one of her perfectly manicured hands.

     "Link was probably upset," defended Zelda.

     "Yes, so upset he dove into the bed of another," mocked Fayette. Zelda glared at her.

     "There's no reason to be so sordid," she said. Fayette waved her hand dismissively.

     "I only thought you should get the full picture," she said, as if she had been doing Zelda a favour.

     "Oh, and since when did you become such an expert on Link?" exclaimed Zelda.

     "Since Kylara told me everything," replied Fayette smugly.

     "What's everything?" asked Zelda suspiciously.

     "Well, let me see. She thinks that by lore they should marry, and that in her country it would be the honourable thing to do. Do I have to spell it out to you?" said Fayette venomously. Zelda really couldn't believe what she was hearing. Link wasn't like that, was he? She blinked back tears of unhappiness and frustration. She couldn't believe he would do this to her. "Oh well, I guess I'd better be going," said Fayette stepping out of the doorway, leaving Zelda alone. A few minutes later, Drake poked his head in through the door.

     "Hi," he said casually, walking in. Zelda turned towards him, her eyes red with tears. When Drake saw the tears he hugged her. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked soothingly, stroking her back.

     "It's Fayette, the things she's been saying about Link," said Zelda, pouring out her feelings to Drake.

     "Don't worry, none of it's true. Link was just being the gentleman and escorting Kylara home. He was probably gonna stay a few days, to try and rest," soothed Drake. Zelda turned her face upwards towards Drakes and nodded.

     "Yeah, I guess you're right," she said, beginning to calm down a bit. She looked back up at Drake. He was so handsome, so strong, he had been like a brother to her in these past few years, "What if?" She banished the thought from her mind. Here she was worrying about Link being unfaithful, when she was contemplating on the same. Well even if she was, Drake certainly wasn't, or at least she didn't think he was. She quickly moved away.

     "If there's anything that I can do…" Drake said. Zelda shook her head.

     "I want to be alone now, to gather my thoughts, and clean myself up a little," she told him.

     "I understand," Drake said.

     Prepare the guards for tonight," Zelda suggested.

     "At once, My Princess," Drake agreed, bowing slightly. Tears sprang to Zelda's eyes again, as he left her, her thoughts resting on the one person who meant the world to her.

     An hour or so later she still stood in the room, freshly clean in a new outfit, her golden hair brushed, but feeling sad, and betrayed. She knew that she shouldn't believe Fayette, but then why had Link come back with Kylara in the first place? He'd gone off to Catalia, and come back with her. Zelda hadn't really thought about it at all, until she'd seen the pair sitting together at the wedding. Then, her old feelings of jealously had been stirred up, but she'd been too angry at her Father to think about it anymore. She glanced down at the ring she wore, the one Link had given her. He loves me, Fayette made it all up! she told herself. But she strangely felt doubtful. Everyone had seemed so reluctant to tell her what had happened with Link, and that seemed strange. She remembered the guard's words, I don't wish to gossip, but…, his hesitation, and the hesitations of her friends. She put her hands on the window sill to steady herself a little, she felt so shocked. To her surprise, she saw a large green dragon sat in the courtyard, a group of people clustered around it. Sal? she wondered. She turned away, suddenly not caring, and slumped down onto the bed. She leaned down against the pillow, and began to cry. Properly. She let her tears fall readily now, almost drowning in her sorrows, so to speak. She didn't hear the door opening, the footsteps walking over to where she was sat. "Zel?" Link said quietly. She suddenly looked up, her face a mixture of relief, sadness, and anger.

     "What are you doing here?" she exclaimed.

     "I was told you were here," he answered, glancing at her sadly.

     "Leave me alone! I hate you!" Zelda cried. The words seemed to come out automatically.

     "Zel, please, I can explain," Link tried.

     "What is there to explain? I think you'd better go back to Kylara now!" Zelda retorted angrily.

     "Zelda, no!" Link said, sounding angry himself. She stood up.

     "You obviously didn't care much, did you? The second you thought I were gone, you were going off with her! Maybe you even were before!" she accused. At that moment, Drake and a few others arrived in the room, looking concerned. "Get out! All of you!" Zelda yelled. "Except you!" she added, turning back to Link.

     "Sorry, Princess," Drake hastily apologised.

     "Just go!" Zelda cried, rushing over to the door, and pushing it shut. "How could you?" she said, looking at Link.

     "What?" Link asked.

     "You know fine well!" Zelda answered, folding her arms and glaring at him in a disdainful manner.

     "If this is about Kylara…" he started.

     "Of course it's about Kylara! Don't act stupid with me!" Zelda cut in.

     "Zel, please," Link protested. Zelda stepped back, and realised she'd come against the wall. Link moved forward quickly, so that she was stuck between him and the wall.

     "All my life, I dreamed of falling in love… and I fell in love with you," he said quietly. She gave him a cynical look, but said nothing. He continued. "Don't you know how much I love you?" Zelda bit her lip nervously.

     "That doesn't make any difference. Even when we first met, you flirted with any pretty girl you saw," she replied coldly.

     "So what if I did? It was the only way I knew how to communicate with them," Link answered, smiling slightly. Zelda didn't smile back. Link sighed, wishing that she wasn't so stubborn.

     "I never wanted you," she finally said. She spoke callously, like she didn't care, but her eyes told a different story. They were full of tears, and she looked sad. He wanted to step forward, and hold her, make sure it was all for real, that he really had his beloved back, but he didn't dare. "I only agreed to marry you, so that my Father wouldn't marry me off to some Prince," she continued.

     "Why? Did you want to shock your family by marrying someone so underclass?" Link finally questioned.

     "Maybe," Zelda replied. In a way, he wouldn't put it past her. All the time he had known her, Zelda had wished to act any way, but a Princess. But she wasn't that cold-hearted.

     "You're so beautiful," he finally managed to say. She smiled slightly.

     "I'm a Princess," she replied. "Of course I'm going to be beautiful. And rich. Isn't it every peasant's dream to marry a Princess?" she asked, somewhat glibly.

     "I suppose it is," Link said, looking down.

     "How much more exciting you were, than some stupid Prince!" Zelda exclaimed, her sarcasm evident. "They wouldn't have kissed me the way you did, sneaked around to see me when you weren't supposed to, come up to my room…" she continued.

     "Oh Zel…" he said sadly. She really knew how to hurt someone's feelings, he thought.

     But despite her words, he found himself drawing closer to her. "Zel… you have to listen to me," he said gently. She exhaled softly, looking nervous.

     "Don't," she warned, as he placed his arms around her, and pulled her close. They kissed each other ardently, and held each other tightly. "Oh Link…" Zelda murmured, as she tried to catch her breath a few moments later. She kissed him again, without abandon. They didn't say anything to each other after, but gazed at other longingly. Then Zelda pushed him away slightly. "I can't forgive you," she murmured sadly.

     "What?" Link said, looking shocked.

     "I… I don't think we should get married," she whispered.

     "How can you say that? After that?" he said incredulously. Zelda bit her lip, she always did when she was worried, or not sure what to say. He stepped forward again. "Come on Zel, stop being so stubborn!"

     "I'm not," she said quietly.

     "Don't tell me that we just didn't… Zelda, those kisses…" Link said, watching her carefully. She let him kiss her again. And again. Wading in a sea of passion, for several blissful minutes.

     "We must bring the Triforce together between us," she finally murmured, between kisses.

     "How do we do that?" Link questioned.

     "I don't know," she replied softly, kissing him back. She had never felt so needful of this, ever. Zelda drew back quickly, before they got any more involved with themselves. "Is Kylara…" she began, unable to say the words.

     "Is she what?" Link asked, looking puzzled.

     "Did you two…" Zelda began again, not looking Link in the eye.

     "Zel, ever since you admitted how you felt about me, I haven't as much looked at another girl, never mind kissed one," he replied. A glimmer of hope flickered in the Princess's eyes.

     "But Link," she murmured.

     "But what?" he questioned. He grabbed hold of the nearby bedpost, steadying himself. Zelda's passionate kisses, and the shock of knowing that she was actually well and alive, had made him feel almost dizzy.

     "What did she mean when she said it was the lore of Catalia that you two should marry, that it was honourable?" the Princess questioned nervously.

     "Oh Zel… it's such a long story, there are better things to do," he said, gazing at her hopefully.

     "Tell me," she breathed.

     "Well… Kylara and I… we are the only two of the ones left in our tribe who haven't married… the other four remaining have, leaving us two. The Elder told us we had to marry each other, but I had you…." Link said, pulling her into his arms.

     "I should hate you," Zelda muttered. Link looked saddened by her words.

     "I haven't done anything wrong," he protested.

     "You went back to Catalia with her, you would have married her," Zelda replied.

     "Only because it seemed the right thing to do! I would always have loved you, though," Link tried.

     "You make me feel…" she paused, looking for the right word. Instead, she kissed him, but not for long. "I don't know if I can forgive you. But while I should hate you, I just want to kiss you… and…" she stopped, her cheeks reddening a little. "Right now, we should… we should be working to stop Ganon, not…" she decided.

     "He won't be here for a good few hours yet," Link said. They were still clinging on to each other. Zelda looked down, feeling herself blushing again. She wasn't sure what had come over her, but she suddenly felt so shy, so unsure. Slowly, she slipped away from him, and walked to the other end of the room.

     "Must be magic," she murmured, looking over at the Triforce thoughtfully.

     "A spell?" Link questioned.

     "I'm not sure. There must be some way," Zelda replied.

     "Are you and I…" Link started to say.

     "I don't know," Zelda said curtly. He looked hurt, but didn't say anything. "The library, let's go to the library," the Princess suggested.

     "Are they still mad at each other?" Drake asked Sprite anxiously. The faerie shrugged.

     "I'm not sure," she said.

     "Sprite you were in the same room as them, surely you could hear what they were saying?" Selina remarked.

     "Well, you know guys, whatever they decided, I'm sure you shouldn't really be being nosy about it," Sprite said. Drake looked annoyed.

     "You're just as bad! You were spying on them!" he said. Sprite folded her arms.

     "I am Link's guardian faerie. I have a right to be wherever he is," the faerie retorted.

     "We only want to know if they're at least talking to each other," Aaron said.

     "Oh fine," the faerie sighed. She perched on the end of one of the chairs in the Drawing room, where herself and the other three were gathered. "They kept kissing each other…" she began.

     "So everything is alright?" Drake cut in.

     "Wait!" Sprite interrupted. "Zelda is still mad at Link, she says she doesn't know if she can forgive him," she said.

     "What's her big problem?" Drake asked in surprise. Sprite shrugged.

     "I don't know. But they decided that it was more important to get the Triforce together, so that they can use it against Ganon when he attacks," she concluded.

     "So, that means that they're at least talking to each other?" Aaron said hopefully.

     "I suppose they must be," Sprite decided.

     "We should go and help them," Selina said.

     "Oh, I don't think you should do that," Sprite immediately said.

     "Why not?" Aaron asked.

     "I just think you'd best leave them alone. They might work things out, then, well, their own problem, at least," the faerie answered.

     "She's right," Drake said. "Come on lad, let's go and help prepare for this evening," he said to Aaron. "What about me?" Selina asked. "Come and help," Drake said simply. Sprite flew off in the direction of the library.

     Zelda was pouring over an old book very intently. Link had tried to read too, but he just couldn't concentrate. "Zel…" he began.

     "Link, be quiet," she snapped.

     "I was only…" he started again.

     "I don't care," the Princess replied shortly. He gave up. Presently though, she pushed the book to one side, and leaned towards him across the table. "What did you want to say?" she asked quietly.

     "It was nothing important," Link answered, barely looking up from the book he was holding.

     "Okay," Zelda said. They were silent for a few moments, then Zelda spoke again. "The texts tell us that one person is each assigned with a Triforce…"

     "But surely that would mean that we needed three people?" Link asked.

     "I think so. I'm wisdom," Zelda started.

     "And I'm courage," Link added.

     "Ganon is power," they both said together.

     "Oh!" Zelda exclaimed, looking shocked.

     "He can't be," Link said slowly.

     "Yes, we were just so used to associating it with him..." Zelda murmured.

     "If it's not Ganon, then who is it?" Link questioned. Zelda looked down at the book again.

     "It says…" She paused.

     "What does it say?" Link pressed.

     "Wait…" Zelda said, reading through the passage again. "It says… all three must be related… not necessarily by blood… one must be of Royal blood, the other low-born status, the last may be of either," she read.

     "Related?" Link said in surprise. "We aren't related," he added.

     "We're not blood related, no. But we will be related, once we marry," Zelda murmured thoughtfully.

     "But we aren't married yet!" Link said.

     "I don't think that matters… we… we love each other, it should be enough, we share a bond…" Zelda said. She looked sad, as she said this.

     "What's the matter?" he asked.

     "If we're going to do this… we'll have to forget everything that happened in the past few weeks," she said.

     "I can do that," Link said. Zelda didn't look so sure.

     "The other person…" she said.

     "Someone who is related to us?" he questioned thoughtfully.

     "There's only my father, and he isn't here… he would not be strong enough anyway," Zelda answered.

     "I have no family left, apart from my aunt and uncle, and they don't use magic. How about… Fayette?" he suggested.

     "No! She isn't Hylian, anyway," Zelda said.

     "What are we going to do?" Link questioned. Zelda shook her head, and looked worried.

     "We can't fulfil what the texts tell us to do," she said quietly.

     "Well, we'll have to improvise," Link decided. "Impa said they say only 'the hero of the land, and the Princess of destiny' can do this. But that contradicts slightly with what we just read. Although we match the descriptions," Zelda said thoughtfully.

     "Perhaps if we share the Triforce of Power…" Link suggested.

     "Maybe," Zelda said quietly.

     "You're not worried, are you?" Link asked her.

     "I think… yes, you may be right… we share the Triforce of Power, and… I suppose I am worried… Impa says that she knew this day would come, but not this soon," Zelda replied. She stood up.

     "Let's go to my room, bring some of these with you," she decided.

     "Why?" Link asked.

     "I want to rest a little… I… I don't feel that great," Zelda admitted. She picked up the book from the table.

     "Let me take that," Link offered.

     "No… I'm not that helpless," Zelda replied, a slight smile on her lips. It was the first real smile that she'd given him that day. "Zelda?" he began.

     "Tell me later," she replied, walking out into the gallery.

     "Father will be so shocked to come home to this," Zelda said a few hours later. She hugged Link. "I love you so much," she told him.

     "I love you too," he replied, feeling happier. It was late afternoon, and though the sun was shining, they both felt a sense of dread overcoming them.

     "What if Ganon…" Zelda began.

     "Shhh… don't worry," Link comforted her. She sighed, and leaned against his shoulder.

     "I would rather stay in here and never come out," she murmured.

     "Come on Zel, I know you better than that," Link said to her. She looked up, and smiled a little.

     "I just feel like… like the fate of Hyrule rests in our hands," she said. Link nodded understandingly. She hugged him again. "There's so many things…" she began. She kissed him lightly, then drew away.

     "Zel, I swear I'll protect you with my life… I'd die for you, you know that," Link told her, his tone serious.

     "I know…" she whispered. They turned to the window. It was starting to grow dark already, even though it was only 4pm. "He will be here soon," Zelda said.

     "The guards will be ready, and so will I," Link promised. She walked over to her bed restlessly, then sat down.

     "I have a really bad feeling," she remarked. Link sat beside her.

     "Try not to worry," he said. She nodded.

     "I know."

     "So… will you forgive me?" Link asked her hopefully.

     "Oh Link…" she replied, looking away.

     "Come on Zel, just say yes or no. I'll not be able to fully concentrate, until you do," Link said.

     "I… I don't know," she finally said.

     "I don't see why you insist on dragging this on. Surely you're not that indecisive?" he asked in disbelief.

     "I…" she began. Link got up.

     "Sometimes Zel, I just don't understand you," he remarked.

     "Oh?" Zelda said.

     "Well, you say we have to forget what happened, but as soon as I ask you if you've forgive me, you say you don't know. It isn't fair Zel, I tried to get you to say you loved me for so long, and now you say you do, yet you won't forgive me for one tiny little thing that I did wrong!" he exclaimed.

     "A tiny little thing?" Zelda retorted, her tone verging on that of incredulity.

     "I apologised to you!" he answered.

     "That just doesn't make things alright again, you know," Zelda said, folding her arms and looking sulky again.

     "Let's not start on this again," Link said in an exasperated tone.

     "Don't you even dare speak to me like that!" Zelda cried. Link sighed, and turned away from her. No matter how much in love they were with each other, he always felt that he was being constantly reminded of their two very different statuses.

     "Let's save this argument for later, we have more important things to worry about," he finally said, withdrawing his sword and examining it closely.

     "When's later?" Zelda questioned.

     "I don't know. After we defeat Ganon, I suppose," Link said, walking over to the window, and looking out. Zelda got up also, and looked under her bed. She withdrew her enchanted bow. "Let's go the Triforce room," she said.

     "They are approaching," said Drake mournfully, turning away from the window.

     "What's wrong? You've had many battles like this before, no?" asked Dion, walking up to Drake.

     "Yes, but this time," he paused trying to think of the right words to say, "this time I think it's bigger than anything Ganon's pulled before," he finished.

     "Hey don't worry. You got all three Triforces, what's there to worry about. We should be rejoicing, you are finally gonna defeat that evil creature," said Dion lightly, he still wore a frown upon his face. They group heard shouts and calls from their fellow guards, and they heard the rattling of chains as the drawbridge was lifted.

     "Come on, you lot get up to the battlements, I need to attend to something," ordered Drake. They all did as he said and left the room. After a few moments Drake headed for the Triforce room.

     "Hey you two," called Drake as he entered the Triforce room. Zelda turned and looked towards him.

     "We know," said Link quietly.

     "Figured out how to use that thing yet?" asked Drake, eyeing the Triforce.

     "No, we need someone else, who can use Power," answered Zelda. Drake nodded his head,

     "Any other things this person needs to be?" inquired Drake.

     "Well, we must all be related, not necessarily through blood, and they may be of any status," Link told him.

     "But you two aren't related, not yet anyway," pointed out Drake.

     "Well we know, but we will soon be married," said Link warily.

     "What if it's not enough. I mean, what if the Triforce doesn't accept you as you are!" said Drake worriedly. Zelda looked at Drake, and then to Link.

     "Well it's just tough, I don't even know if I want to marry him yet," said Zelda bitterly.

     "Well the way I see it there are only two people who can take on the role of the Power Triforce and I don't think you'll like either," said Drake thoughtfully.

     "Who?" asked Link quickly.

     "Well, Fayette is one," started Drake, he looked to Zelda for confirmation; she only shook her head, her mouth set in a defiant line. "Or, Kylara," finished Drake.

     "What?!" said Link incredulously.

     "You're from both the same tribe right?" asked Drake.

     "Well yes, but..." answered Link, unsure.

     "And she reckons that you were connected by this," went on Drake.

     "Both are out of the question," said Zelda.

     "Well do you have any other ideas?" said Drake, not believing that Zelda would be so selfish and stubborn over a matter like this.

     "No, but still," started Zelda weakly.

     "You two wait here, I'm going to get two things. A priest and your darling little half-sister," instructed Drake. He left the room.

     "Don't think I'm going through with anything," said Zelda defiantly folding her arms over her chest. Link shook his head sadly.

     "I thought we loved each other, was I so wrong?" he asked.

     "I thought you loved me, but obviously not as much as I had thought. First chance you got, you went back to Catalia with that, whoever she was," bit back Zelda.

     "Why won't you believe me?" asked Link desperately. He stood up and walked to the tower window. "If I can't love you, my life isn't worth living," he stated.

     "Go back to Catalia Link. As soon as this is over go back to her," said Zelda icily. "Fayette was right, you peasants have no morals," she continued on. Link turned round and looked at Zelda in disgust.

     "Peasant? Three quarters of Hyrule are 'peasants', they are your people and you think they have no morals? They have more morals than you have in your little finger," said Link hotly, his anger rising.

     "Hah! That's a good one," mocked Zelda. Link turned and grabbed his sword from the bed and walked towards the door.

     "You're right Princess. I'd be better off with my 'peasant' girl. You go find yourself some prince to marry, someone with morals," spat Link stepping out of the door. He was pushed back in again by Drake, who was being followed by a priest and, Fayette.

     "Okay you two, you have ten minutes to put whatever tiffs you've had behind you because at the end of this time, you're both going to be married," demanded Drake. "And if it isn't for either of you, do it for your country," finished Drake pleadingly. Link turned to look at Zelda, he only saw hate in her eyes.

     "Hyrule isn't my country," he stated before jumping out of the window. Drake rushed over, but Link had climbed to the bottom of the tower quickly, and disappeared into some bushes. Zelda raised her eyebrows.

     "He said it, not me," she remarked. Drake glared at her in annoyance.

     "Go after him!" he ordered her. She returned his look defiantly.

     "You have no right to tell me what to do, Sir Drake," she replied coolly.

     "Goddamn it, Your Highness! You'll do as I say at once, instead of acting so spoilt, selfish and proud!" Drake roared angrily.

     "I'm none of those things, how dare you insult me like that!" Zelda cried.

     "If what Sprite says is true, then we are all in trouble. If you and Link worked together, we would at least have a chance!" Drake replied, grabbing hold of her by the arm.

     "Let me go!" the Princess protested. She wasn't strong enough to get away, though.

     "I watched you grow up Zelda, and I always thought that you'd make a good ruler someday. No I'm seeing a side of you that I don't like, why you're behaving worse than her!" Drake accused, pointing over at Fayette. Fayette pouted, and looked offended, but she didn't reply.

     "Don't speak to me like that!" Zelda said angrily.

     "Stop it! You may be angry with Link, but because of it, you're practically handing over the kingdom to Ganon! Don't you care?" Drake pleaded.

     "Of course I care," Zelda said quietly.

     "Then go after him!" Drake said, letting go of her. She paused for a moment. "Hurry up, time's running out!" Drake shouted. She dashed out of the room.

     The courtyard was in utter chaos. Guards were grappling with all of Ganon's monsters, yet the wizard himself was nowhere to be seen. Zelda suspected he was still lazing about, waiting for his monsters to finish of most of the guards, before making his own appearance. Sal was flying up in the sky, helping them out. She turned to a guard. "Have you seen Link?" she asked him quickly.

     "Yes, my Lady. He saddled up his horse a few minutes back, and rode over the drawbridge," the guard told her. She thanked him, and rushed into the stables. She jumped onto her horse's back, not bothering to saddle up. If Link stayed true to his word, he'd be riding towards Ruto. She urged her horse into a gallop. Ten minutes later, she noticed a rider in front of her, going at a slow pace.

     "Come on, hurry!" she told her horse, praying that Link wouldn't ride away as she approached. He halted his horse at the sound of approaching hooves, and turned. When he realised it was Zelda, he urged his horse to start moving again. "Link, wait!" she shouted. He waited. She slowed her horse to a trot, and halted her mount along side his. "Link," she said breathlessly.

     "This had better be good," he said coldly.

     "We need you," she said truthfully.

     "I don't see why I should help you," was his reply.

     "Please, Link," she begged.

     "I have no obligation to help," he answered.

     "Link… you must… you're the only person…" Zelda stammered. A bright explosion suddenly lit up the sky. "Ganon may already be here!" she exclaimed.

     "Zelda, I thought you loved me, but all this time…" he said sadly.

     "I…." she began. She didn't say the rest of it though. "Why does it have to come down to that?" she demanded.

     "It was you who kept me here. But you don't love me anymore… you won't believe me when I tell you the truth, you believe your half-sister," Link answered.

     "Help us," Zelda pleaded. "You're Hyrule's only hope," she continued.

     "Well, perhaps I'd rather help my own country, instead," Link replied curtly.

     "Don't be so selfish!" Zelda cried.

     "I'm selfish? So what are you?" Link retorted.

     "Don't say that! We have to get back to the castle, before it's too late!" Zelda replied, turning her horse, and setting off back up the road. After a moment of hesitation, Link followed her.

     They rushed back up to the Triforce room as quickly as possible, where Drake was still waiting. "Alright, let's get on with it," Zelda said sulkily. She turned to Link. "As soon as this is over, don't think you're really going to be married to me!" she whispered. He looked at her in equal dislike.

     "I'll be glad!" he shot back. This wasn't how either had envisioned their wedding day. The only people present were Fayette, Drake, the priest and themselves. They were dressed in their everyday clothes. And they weren't in the chapel, but a tower room. The priest didn't linger on anything. He went straight to the vows, which they each had to repeat. There was no exchange of rings, and at the end of it, they didn't even kiss each other. Drake looked worried, Fayette seemed cynical. But they didn't comment.

     "Alright, are you happy now?" Zelda demanded, turning to Drake.

     "It'll have to do," he said sadly. Zelda picked up the Wisdom Triforce. They heard insane laughter outside.

     "Ganon!" Link and Zelda both cried together. "Come on!" Zelda cried, turning towards the stairs. Link, taking the Triforce of Courage, quickly followed her. Fayette just stood there.

     "What am I supposed to do?" she wailed.

     "Take the Triforce of Power, and follow them!" Drake ordered. Fayette picked up the prism, and almost dropped it.

     "It's too heavy!" she moaned. Drake picked it up, and shoved it into her arms.

     "Get going!" he shouted.

     "Well, look who it is!" Ganon sneered. He was levitating up in the air, in the middle of the courtyard.

     "Get out of my castle!" Zelda yelled up at him. Ganon just laughed.

     "How unfortunate for me that you had to escape," he sniffed.

     "But no worry, although you may think you can combine that Triforce, you all hate each other so much, that it will never work!" the wicked sorcerer sniggered. Zelda gasped.

     "No! That isn't true!" she cried.

     "Behold, the source of my latest power!" Ganon cried, ignoring her. He withdrew a gleaming gold amulet. "It has some pretty neat tricks, you've already seen a few of them," the wizard laughed.

     "And we'll see no more of them!" Link shouted defiantly.

     "Shut up, you stupid boy!" Ganon said, leering evilly at them. Fayette looked absolutely terrified. An arrow flew up in the air, and hit Ganon in the side. He screeched, and turned his attention to Dion and Damon, who were stood atop the battlements, attacking him. Zelda turned to Link and Fayette.

     "I know how to this," she said quietly.

     "How?" Link asked.

     "The ancient spell of power," she whispered.

     "What will that do?" Fayette asked.

     "We must recite it together, and think together," Zelda said.

     "Recite what?" Link asked.

     "And what do we think?" Fayette questioned.

     "It's in ancient Hylian. Link, you should be able to do it easily, Fayette, listen closely to the pronunciation. And at the same time, think of the Triforce as a whole," Zelda replied. Link nodded in understanding. Zelda had taught him all how Hylian magic worked. But it was harder to Fayette to comprehend. She knew a little magic, enough to use the Triforce for a very short while, but she wasn't well versed in the whole skill. Zelda knew they had to get it right first time, as soon as they fused it together, she could take over herself. It would leave Fayette extremely drained. She told Fayette this, who nodded, and agreed to try her best. By this time, Ganon was shooting fireballs around the courtyard, almost hitting them several times. They were very powerful, and Zelda could sense the evil intent coming from the amulet itself. "Let's do it," she murmured.

     Ganon's laughter seemed to echo on and on. The moon disappeared, and a fierce wind started up, cold and icy. Zelda clung onto Link and Fayette, fearing that the strong wind might blow them apart. "Say it with me!" she shouted, above the noise. She started to recite something in ancient Hylian, and almost at once, Link found himself saying it with her, like he'd always known it. Fayette, unfortunately the outsider, strained to hear the words, and hesitantly spoke what she thought was correct. Ganon suddenly looked worried. There was a loud crack of thunder. "You will never do it!" he screeched. Tapping the amulet, he made a whole load of monsters suddenly appear, zombies and skeletons, the un-dead. Drake, Aaron, Charles and Nick all leapt forward at once, swords in hand to attempt to get rid of them. Damon, Dion and Selina also came forward, but armed with bows.

     "They're just illusions, don't believe them, and they'll go!" Zelda screamed.

     "What?" Aaron said.

     "Don't believe in them," Nick said simply, stepping back. Aaron was amazed, as the illusion disappeared before his eyes. Ganon cursed in annoyance. He did something else, and huge man-eating plants suddenly sprang up from the ground, their roots twisting up through the soil and grabbing hold of some of the guards. Drake immediately started hacking away at them. These ones weren't illusions, the amulet seemed to be able to control many aspects of nature too. Ganon, pleased that he'd distracted the others, resumed his attention to the other three.

     Zelda was getting worried. Link was thinking along with her, but Fayette wasn't. Nothing was going to happen, if Fayette didn't get the hang of the telepathy. "Think with us!" Zelda urged her step-sister.

     "I can't!" Fayette cried.

     "Of course you can't, not normally, but use the Triforce's magic!" Link shouted to her. A fireball whizzed towards them. Link stuck his sword in front of it, and managed to reflect it back at Ganon. It hit him, and he shrieked in fury. The rain began to pelt down - hard.

     "It's the amulet," Zelda gasped, shivering as the water soaked her through to the skin.

     "Is this an illusion?" Link questioned. The Princess shook her head.

     "It can control the weather!" she cried.

     "Yes, you are right, dear Princess!" Ganon croaked. He pointed his bony finger at them. A bolt of lightning escaped from it, and went straight towards them! They jumped apart just in time, but their link had been broken. Link managed to catch hold of Zelda, while Fayette struggled against the gale to join back up with them again. "You will never defeat me! Not while I have this!" Ganon screeched. Zelda shivered, both from the cold, and from Ganon.

     "We mustn't let him win!" she whispered to Link. Their eyes met for an instant, but then Link looked away. Fayette's hand found it's way to Link's.

     "Let's try again!" he said. They began to recite the chant, thinking together about what they wanted to do. A strange feeling passed through Fayette, as she concentrated as hard as she could on her Triforce. All at once, things began to happen. The Triforces flew from their hands, and Ganon used more bolts to separate the three once more. The was a brilliant flash of light, which lit up the whole sky, it was almost blinding. Ganon shrieked in horror, and the three Triforces became fused together, shining a brilliant golden colour. Fayette felt dizzy, and stumbled, falling on the ground. Nick rushed over to her side, along with Aaron and Charles. Link withdrew his sword, and Zelda went to pick up the Triforce. She gazed at it in wonder. Ganon was screeching about something.

     "Make a wish," the Triforce seemed to say to Zelda.

     "Destroy Ganon and that amulet," the Princess breathed. Trying to focus it's power, she used it to form an extremely powerful ball of energy, which she sent flying from her hands towards Ganon. He dodged out of its way, and attempted to zap Zelda instead. Link immediately blocked the attack. The rain continued to pound down, and the wind blew harder than ever. "You will never defeat me, ever!" Ganon screamed. Zelda sent another magical beam towards him, and this time it hit, knocking the amulet from his hands. The wizard attempted to reach down and grab it, but Link jumped forward and caught it instead.

     "Ha! What are you going to do now, then?" he called up to Ganon.

     "Link, move!" Zelda yelled. The wind seemed to blow her energy bolts off target. No, that wasn't right. They were heading straight for the amulet, and Link was stood holding it! Zelda couldn't stop them. "Link, drop the amulet!" she yelled.

     "No way! Ganon will just get it again!" Link yelled back.

     "Throw it away!" Zelda cried. Ganon began to laugh. Link suddenly saw the bolts of light heading straight for him. He jumped out of the way, the bolts hit the wall behind him, then bounced off it again. "Link, just drop it, you idiot!" Zelda screamed in horror. He must have realised what was going on, for he chucked it away. The bolts whizzed past the hero, missing him by mere inches. The next moment, there was a huge explosion, as the bolts destroyed the amulet.

     "Nooooooo!" Ganon shrieked. Zelda rushed over to Link. The storm disappeared.

     "You stupid idiot! You could have been killed!" she cried.

     "Well, excuuse me, Princess!" Link grinned at her. She didn't looked amused.

     "It's not over yet, you fools!" Ganon cried, attempting to zap the Triforce from Zelda's hands. She jumped out of the way, but tripped on a rock, and fell to the ground. The Triforce flew out of her hands. Both Link and Ganon made a grab for it, Sprite suddenly appeared, and began to shoot Ganon with her faerie magic. He was once more distracted, enabling Link to get to the artefact first. He picked it up, and handed it back to Zelda. She didn't thank him. "Hand that over, you stupid girl!" Ganon ordered, sending a magic bolt towards her once again. She used the power of the Triforce to deflect it, and the wizard cursed. He knew he was no match for Zelda while the Triforce was in her possession.

     "Leave her alone, you big coward!" Link shouted, jumping in front of Zelda.

     "Move out of the way Link!" Ganon retorted, ignoring him. He was more concerned about what Zelda would do. Zelda tried to zap him again, using the Triforce's magic. "Luckily, I have one more trick up my sleeve," Ganon sneered. He removed something from his robe, and threw it to the ground. An blue energy portal opened up.

     "No!" Zelda cried.

     "Bye bye, you pathetic heroes!" Ganon said, laughing. He jumped into it, and it immediately closed up, vanishing. Link rushed over to the spot.

     "He's gone," Zelda said, walking over also.

     "For good?" Link questioned.

     "I don't know," Zelda replied.

     "It was blue…" Link said thoughtfully.

     "He knows he's well and truly beaten, but he has gone and escaped before I really had a chance to finish him," Zelda replied.

     "He must have realised that there was a chance it could happen," Link said, replacing his sword in his belt.

     "That'd be right. But a blue portal… that means he's not gone anywhere in Hyrule, he would have just clicked his fingers and transported to Death Mountain if he'd wanted to do that," Zelda said, beginning to walk towards the castle.

     "Do you think he's gone for good?" Link pondered.

     "I think he is… for now…" the Princess answered. Zelda looked over at Link. He was, like everyone else, soaked to the skin, his sword still in his hand. She walked towards him and took hold of his hand. He turned and smiled at her, and dropped his sword to the ground. Everyone looked on silently, and then Zelda leaned towards him.

     "I guess this means they're back to being the happy couple again," whispered Dion leaning over to Selina. She nodded, smiling faintly watching as the two met in a passionate embrace.

     "Oh really," scorned Fayette, folding her arms across her chest and flipping her hair. She looked around in hope for some kind of support but everyone had big grins spreading across their features. She sighed again, how come they all loved Zelda and Link so much? If it hadn't been for her, they would have never defeated Ganon. Suddenly she felt suddenly very tired, and dizzy. She collapsed into a heap on the floor.

     "She really knows how to steal the limelight doesn't she?" complained Link, a grin still on his face as he watched several people rush around Fayette in order to help. Zelda turned and looked that way but soon turned back to Link. "I'm sorry," apologised Link.

     "Whatever for? I'm the one that should be sorry - for over-reacting," replied Zelda.

     "Let's just call it a truce, what the most important thing is that the Triforce is complete," said Link grinning. Zelda looked towards the Triforce then back to Link.

     "Oh, quite the contrary, I think there is something far more important that we need to deal with," said Zelda grinning at him devilishly, and leaning forward to kiss him again.

     "Oh, and what might that be?" Link enquired, bending down to pick up his sword. He put it through his belt.

     "We need to make-up, for one thing. And, while that may have been the most lousiest wedding in the whole world, but it doesn't mean that we can't make the most of the circumstances," Zelda said, smiling at him mischievously.

     "Oh… right. What, a party?" he asked, grinning back.

     "Perhaps. But let's make it a private one. Just you and me," Zelda replied. She smiled at him, then walked over to where everyone else was stood around, staring and being generally nosy. "Okay, the show's over, you can all go back inside now, and get dried off," she said out loud.

     "Can we help you with anything?" Aaron asked.

     "No, I'm fine. Now, I think I'd like to go to bed, I haven't had a decent good night's sleep in days," she announced.

     "Goodnight, Princess," Drake said, turning to go indoors. Everyone else followed. Zelda walked back over to Link, and picked up the Triforce.

     "Take this up to your room, then come to mine," she whispered.

     Nick smiled wistfully as he said his goodbyes. When he had exchanged good wishes with everyone he finally laid his eyes on Selina, they had not yet said goodbye, he pulled her into a brief hug then stepped away, his eyes meeting hers for a fraction of a second. He smiled at her, and she returned the gesture. He then turned away and boarded his ship. He had considered trying to get to know Selina better during his visit, but he felt he had just confirmed his true feelings for Selina. He waved to his companions as the boat began to drift away, towards his home. He knew he should never have even considered showing his true feelings towards Selina, and was glad he hadn't. He knew that if it turned out she liked him just as much it would never work for either of them. On one hand Nick knew she could never be his wife as he wouldn't bear to take her away from Hyrule, and he knew his father would never approve. His father would also be angry that Nick hadn't asked for Fayette's hand but he knew he couldn't do that. He leaned over the rail of the boat and looked into the depths. A sharp pain suddenly shot through his chest and Nick winced, almost toppling over the side. When he opened his eyes again he gasped as he saw an eerie reflection in the water, it was of Enzar. He stepped back and gulped down some oxygen, leaning against the cabin for support. He heard cries from above and Nick watched in horror as the water around the little boat began to turn blood red. The boat began to rock backwards and forwards uncontrollably, as if caught in a wild storm - but the water was as calm as could be. Nick's chest constricted in pain again and he fell to his hands and knees. He shut his eyes, and another pang of pain crashed between his temples. He heard gasps and screams from below and above, then he heard the splintering of wood nearby. He tried to force his eyes open, but his eyelids felt as though they weighed ten pounds each. He tried to get up, but a pain stabbed through his back, then he heard a shrill scream split through the air, followed by a dull thud. Suddenly, Nick found himself sliding downwards, the ship was capsizing! Nick forced his eyes open and reached out a searching hand, looking for something to grab onto. But it was too late, and Nick crashed into the discoloured water. He panicked for a moment then resurfaced and calmed down. He knew they hadn't gone far, shore must be in sight, but as Nick desperately gazed around a cold realisation hit him - the shore was gone. A deep, booming laughter filled his ear drums, it was Enzar's! Nick felt as though he was being split into four, pain coursed through his entire body. Then Nick realised the ship was gone! He searched around in desperation but he got the feeling he wasn't where he had been a few minutes ago, but he was in an entirely different realm! Then Nick gasped in pain, his lungs felt as though they had been filled with sand, and he began to slowly sink under the surface. The sand in his lungs were quickly replaced with water, and Nick realised he was going to die. He looked upwards, only to see a bleak sky, distorted by the water, and silently prayed.

     As Link and his friends watched the boat disappear over the horizon, he felt a sharp pain stab through his chest. Groaning in pain, Link dropped to his knees clutching at his chest. Zelda quickly kneeled down beside him, and placed one hand on his shoulder. "Link, what's the matter?" asked Zelda, a look of concern spread across her pretty features. Link shook his head.

     "I don't…know," he managed to say. Suddenly, over the horizon came a bright flash of light, which formed into a huge pillar, spiralling towards the sky..

     "What was that?" asked Drake in amazement. Zelda stood back up as she watched the pillar of light slowly revolve, until it began to rise upwards into the sky, then in a blinding flash of light, it was gone.

     "Nick! What about Nick?" asked Link suddenly, he managed to stand back up and race towards the shore. He didn't know why but he was sure that his friend was in trouble. "We should follow him, find out if he's okay!" continued Link.

     "After that just happened?" asked Drake in surprise.

     "That's exactly why we're going to look for him!" said Link, annoyed that no-one seemed to be agreeing with him. Selina nodded her head slowly.

     "We should go look," she agreed. Damien agreed also. Link quickly ran back to the dock and had a few words with the shipmaster. He waved over to Selina and Damon who quickly joined him.

     "We only need a small rowboat, I think if we can make it to were that light was, we can assume Nick's okay," said Link hurriedly, pointing to a little rowboat that bobbed just of the dock. He jumped into it and grabbed an oar. Damon and Selina joined him and they were soon rowing out to sea. Please Nick, please be alright, silently pleaded Link as the three rowed furiously in the direction Nick's boat had been sailing.

     "Oh, no," whispered Selina in horror as they approached what had been Nick's boat. The boat itself had capsized, but there was a huge tear across the hull of the ship. "What did this?" whispered Selina as they circled the boat. Bodies were floating all around the ship, and as they passed each body, Link leaned over the side of the boat to see who they were, and if they were alive. The water around the boat had turned into a murky brownish red, the blood from the dead.

     "I can't believe this," murmured Link, still in shock. They passed another body, Link turned the body over, but it wasn't Nick. Link recognised the face of one of the crew men.

     "Who did this?" asked Damon softly, shaking his head in disbelief.

     "I think it has something to do with that pillar of light," said Selina. After they had circled the ship three times, there was no signs of life, or Nick.

     "Come on, let's head back to Hyrule," suggested Damon. They all mutely agreed and began to row slowly back to shore, were the rest were waiting.

     Link tied the boat to the dock and jumped out. Zelda ran up to him and hugged him. Link pushed her away, but took her by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "Zel, Nick's ship," he started.

     "What?" asked Zelda, flickers of worry skittering across her face.

     "Someone, something attacked it," he said slowly, only just coming to terms with it himself.

     "What about Nick?" asked Zelda warily.

     "We couldn't find him, but, but everyone else who was onboard was dead," said Link. He watched as Zelda turn away in sock, but he walked over to her and hugged her tightly. Drake and the rest approached, but Selina and Damon ushered them away, leaving Link and Zelda alone. "We need to find out what that light was," said Link carefully as he listened to Zelda's muffled sobs.

     "I know what it was Link, it was a link between two realms. If Nick was in that light he could be anywhere," she said, stopping for short breaths of air.

     "Is there anyway we can help him," asked Link unsurely - he felt so useless.

     "No, unless Nick can escape himself, we may never see him again, and that's if he's still alive. Just as Zelda finished they heard a shrill scream from the shore, Fayette's. "He was so kind, why did it have to get him?" asked Zelda quietly, but she had to raise her voice over Fayette's shrill screams.

     "Maybe it didn't," offered Link, stroking the top of Zelda's head carefully.

     "We just have to hope, and pray," said Zelda quietly.

     Ganon walked towards the river, where, just moments before he had seen a blinding spiral of light. The discoloured water lapped up against the bank and Ganon noticed a dark, unmoving shape lain by the bank. He approached the shape and kneeled down to get a closer look. His cruel lips twisted into an evil smile when he saw the face of the figure. He grabbed it by the cloak and began to drag it back towards that gnarled tree. It looked as though Enzar's death had been better than Ganon had ever dreamed of. Not only had the Griffin turned out to be the carrier of the precious moon pearl, but he had also managed to make sure that those whom had caused his exile had paid dearly. Well one had anyway. Ganon began to cackle, but slowly it began to turn into a deep, booming laughter. Ganon stopped and looked down at his hands- they were no longer gnarled claws, but strong, firm hands. He had legs, feet! Ganon finally ran his hand's over his face, hair ran through his fingers. He began to laugh again, his own laughter music to his ears. It looked as though the moon pearl was working already, it would not be long until he was strong enough to re-enter the light world and this time - nothing would stop him.

     Link stared down at the ground, at the small wooden cross that marked Kylara's grave. He knelt down, and placed the small bouquet of wildflowers at its base. The cold November wind whipped around him, and he wrapped his arms around himself in attempt to keep warm. The Gardarika graveyard was a desolate place, devoid of much life, aside from the overgrown grass, and gnarled trees that stood menacingly at one end of the cemetery. Link's own family was buried here, and he felt sad that once he died, he wouldn't be buried with them. Instead, his body would be placed in the Royal Tomb, that stood in the graveyard south of Mido. As for Kylara, he felt like she hadn't deserved to die. The same as his brother Hayden hadn't. Both deaths had been his fault, in a way. As he stood there, a sickening thought passed through his mind. Both of them had died, through Zelda. His beloved wife. Hayden had been murdered by the Carcastans, as Link had rescued Zelda from the same fate. And then Kylara had killed herself, because Link had married Zelda instead of her. He wondered why he'd been forced to choose between his love and his brother. That hadn't been fair, and he had lost the only surviving member of his family. And he hadn't been able to stop Kylara from killing herself, she'd done it all too quickly. But at least it was all over now. Ganon was gone for good, and the Triforce united into one. Hyrule was finally at peace. He didn't know for how long, but hopefully it would last for many centuries. And he'd fulfilled his promise to Zelda. He remembered a few weeks back, when he'd first set out to reclaim the other two Triforces. Alone in Zelda's room, he'd said to her, Zelda, when you take the throne I want to make sure you have nothing to worry about, especially not Ganon. He'd kissed her, and later, left to set out on his quest. He wished she was here with him right now, but he hadn't told her about Kylara's death. Perhaps it was stupid not to tell her, but after what had happened between them over Kylara… he'd nearly lost her for good, when she wouldn't forgive him. Now they were married, and more in love with each other than ever before, he didn't wish to spoil it. Two days ago it had been the Princess's 21st birthday, and two days before that, their Royal wedding. Now, he was here, visiting the grave of the other woman he'd almost married. He stood there for a few moments more, then turned away, and began to walk away. As Zelda had said to him, they shouldn't dwell on the past anymore, but look towards their future together. A warm feeling came over him, as he thought about some of those future things. As he stepped through the iron gates though, a voice made him stop.

     "Link!" someone said sharply. The hero looked around, searching for the owner of the voice. An old man stepped out from the growing shadows. Link recognised him as the Elder of Gardarika, Arcesius. He exhaled nervously, and looked down at his feet. "I see you feeling suitably ashamed by your actions," the elder said. He walked towards Link, and took hold of his hands.

     "Not ashamed. Just sad," Link answered. The old man looked down at Link's hands, spying his two rings; the kingdom ring given to him by the King as a sign that he was an official member of the Hyrulian Royal Family, and the wedding ring from Zelda.

     "So you married your Princess after all," he said coldly.

     "I had to," Link replied shortly.

     "My bad guidance has cost us all dearly. It has taken a life," Arcesius said.

     "It was what she wanted," Link said, looking down again.

     "All she wanted was to fulfil her role in this dark age, and become your rightful wife," Arcesius replied. Link raised his eyebrows.

     "Rightful?" he asked. Arcesius walked out of the graveyard. He beckoned for Link to follow. "What in Hyrule are you talking about?" Link asked, walking up alongside the elder.

     "You're in Catalia now, boy. Don't use such terms here," Arcesius said sharply. Link folded his arms indignantly, but didn't bother to protest.

     "Okay, but I don't understand. How is Kylara my 'rightful' wife? Zelda is," he said. Arcesius leaned on his stick, looking down into the town.

     "Come and sit down, boy. There's a few things you need to know," he said, patting a rock nearby. Link hated how the elder kept referring to him as 'boy', but he knew he had to respect the old man. He sat down, and Arcesius began to speak.

     "Long, long ago, Hyrule was just a small land. As you well know, its boundaries consisted of the south west island, where Ganon later made his domain. Many races of people used to inhabit Hyrule; sadly all that remain now are the humans, and of course, the native Hylians. A special type of Hylians inhabited the Lost Woods, these were the Kokiri. Your tribe, which originated from the forests of northern Hyrule, was named after these people. Later, they moved onto Catalia, a country which has kept its tribal traditions," Arcesius said. Link nodded.

     "Okay, so that's how my tribe name originated. But why keep such traditions? It's so…" Link paused, searching for the right words.

     "Young man, these traditions are regarded as important here in Catalia. It's part of our culture," Arcesius said sharply.

     "It's restricting," Link said suddenly.

     "If you hadn't gone to Hyrule, you would know no better," Arcesius replied.

     "But you even said so yourself, the tribe originated there! And I've always known that I have Hylian ancestry," Link answered. Arcesius sighed.

     "It's tradition to intermarry in your own tribe. You should have married Kylara. Now you will mix your Kokiri blood with that of a Hylian Princess instead!" Arcesius said.

     "It's a bit stupid, if you ask me. If… if everyone intermarries, won't we all be related anyway? In Hyrule, it's simply just not permitted," Link replied.

     "Customs are customs, Link. Obviously, you have learnt to respect Hyrulian customs, and I suspect faerie customs too, yet you are disrespectful of your own!" Arcesius said coldly.

     "Okay, I'll be straight with you. I don't agree with Catalian customs, and I consider myself a native of Hyrule more. I'm sorry about Kylara; deeply sorry indeed. But she chose to die, and I couldn't stop her. Now, I have even more duties back in Hyrule, and I have a wife there. Nothing will keep me here now," Link said. Arcesius shook his head sadly.

     "Fate has been changed, and you shall suffer the consequences eventually." Those words sounded frighteningly familiar to Link… Kylara had said almost the exact same thing before she had killed herself! He swallowed nervously, then stood up. "It looks like you knew that already," Arcesius remarked.

     "I'm going back to Hyrule right now. And I'm never coming back here," Link said harshly. Arcesius looked saddened by his words, but the elder knew there was no way he could change Link's mind.

     "You will realise your mistake one day… changing destinies and rewriting ancient prophecies will always end in dire circumstances," he called after the hero. Link didn't hear, as he ran to where Carefree was tied up. He was definitely determined to put the past behind him, and look towards the future. And it looked bright…

The End…

* Watch out for another adventure with Link, Zelda and their friends, coming soon… our stars a little older, and wiser…*

     Now that you've read that excellent story, be sure to tell Juliet and Kirsty what you think! They spent all that time writing it for YOU, so you should thank them by taking the time to give them some comments and compliments!

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