"Link! Wait!"

Link steadied Epona to a halt. It was Impa on her white horse galloping toward him.

"Yes, Lady Impa?"

Impa out of breath said, "You...can't enter the Castle unless...a royal offical...is with you. I shall accompany you, Link, Hero of Time."

Link nodded.

"Yes, please. I am honored."

"No, Hero of Time. The honor is all mine. Not everyday I get to accompany a national hero."

Link grinned.

"And it's not everyday a national hero is accompanied by a Lengendary Sage."

They laughed.
*************************************************************

Impa lead Link to the entrance of the Castle Courtyard. She pointed.

There she stood. Clothed in an elegant gown of blue silk and satin. Honeysuckle hair that spilled in flowing waves at her waist.

Princess Zelda, Leader of the Sages, Princess of Destiny, Link's beloved.

Impa grinned at him and gave him a gentle push.

"Go. She is waiting for you."

Nervously, Link walked through the entrance. Seeing this place brought so much memory. Seven years ago he stood at this very place, peeking into the Castle window with Zelda.

And she was standing on that very same spot. Her back was turned to him, she was obviously thinking about something. Link cleared his throat.

"Zelda..."

Zelda gasped and spun around.

"Oh, Link! You came! I was so...Oh, Link!" Zelda cried as she threw herself at him in an embrace. Zelda clutched a handful of his tunic, pressed her face against his chest and wept.

Link wrapped his arms around her and stroked her head gently.

"Hey, hey. What's all this?"

Zelda's soft sobs were growing louder and uncontrolable.

"Shhhh...hey, it's all right. I'm here."

"Link, you don't have to say anything. Just hold me for a few minutes."

Link held her for what felt like an eternity. It was heaven. He could smell her fragrant (sp?) hair, feel her body pressed against his. He wanted to kiss her tears away.

Zelda let go of Link and turned away.

"Zelda, Impa summed me to you. She said it was urgent that you talked to me?"

Zelda turned to him.

"Yes, Link. Please sit down."

Link sat down on the steps that lead to the Catle. Zelda paced....no, not just pacing--trembling.

Link stood up, put his hands on Zelda's shaking shoulders and looked into her eyes. There were tears.

"Zelda, what's wrong?"

"I...had a prophesy."

"Oh? Is this what this meeting about?"

"Yes, I dreamt that you...died."

"What?!"

"Oh, where to begin?" Zelda sighed.

She told him everything.

From the prosposal to Link's supposed death to his ressurection in an evil shadow of him.

"That man...he had all the pieces of the Triforce..." Zelda said.

"But how can that be?"

"Ganondorf still had the Triforce of Power when we sealed him in the Evil Realm."

"Well, yeah. But how could that guy obtain the Triforce of Power? I thought only Sages coud enter the Realm."

"I thought so too. But maybe Ganondor was able to use the Triforce of Power to summon his minions to carry on what he didn't finish."

Zelda shuddered.

"I think I'm going to be sick." she groaned.

There was a long awkward pause. Then...

"Zelda, what did you say that man looked like?"

"He...was a shadow of you. Everything on him was black. Everything...except for..."

"What?"

Zelda let out another shudder.

"His eyes! Oh, his eyes! They were a blood red. Like rubies. They burned with evil. I'll never forget those eyes!"

"A shadow of me...blood red eyes, like rubies."

"No."

"Heheheheheh...don't think you won, yet. Link, Hero of Time. One of these days...I will get my revenge..and you and your precious Hyrule will suffer! Hahahahhahahahhahahahaha!"

"It...can't be! That's impossible! i thought i defeated him!"

"Link, what is it?"

Link looked inot Zelda's eyes, he could see the fear.

"Link, you know something! Tell me!"

Link turned away, his face in his hands.

"Tell me!"

Link turned to her and grasped her hands.

"Link?"

"That man...it's Dark Link."

"Dark Link?"

"Yeah, I fought him in the Water Temple. He was obviously a sore loser," Link said with a bitter laugh. "He swore vengence on me. He said if Ganondorf should fail. he would finish his work. He even said he would..."

"What?"

"Your precious little Princess will be mine!"

"I think I've said enough, Zelda."

"Link,you must tell me!"

Zelda grabbed Links shoulders and looked him in the eye. She had a pleading look. Oh, what that pleading look did to Link!

"Please!"

"He said that he would stalk you and would make you his Queen. But before that he would take over my body, kill me. He would have the Triforce of Courage...then he would transform completely into me. You would be tricked into thinking it was me and become his dark Queen. The Triforce of Wisdom, you, and all of Hyrule would be under his control! I thought it was just a sick joke...guess not."

Zelda gasped and fell to her knees.

"This is too much to take..."

"I'm sorry, Zelda. Please forgive me?"

"For what?"

"I don't know. I just feel responsible for what's happening. You and Hyrule will suffer. I don't care if he comes after me...but why does he have to involve you?"

"Link..."

"He can take my life if he wants but I swear if he.."

Link clasped Zelda's hands. He pulled her close.

"I love you, Zelda. I always had. That's why I want to protect you!"

"Link..."

"Please, Zelda. Please say you'll be my wife. Please...will you marry me?"

Zelda with tears in her eyes looked into Link's eyes and said,

"No."