(A/N): Hello! It's been a while since I last posted something in FF. Well; this is a Zelda fic I wanted to write so much since I'm into the games again... I have also read the manga and was totally hooked lol (so here you'll find some dialogues or descriptions that are based mostly from the manga).

This fanfiction contains a limy situation so please, if you're not old enough or mature toward those things then stop reading. I hope you like this story!

Summary:

"It's the time when the reddened fruit of the Great Deku Tree split open, marking the beginning of the season in which the birth of a son happens to every living creature in the forest, or in more common words: the "mating-season" begins. The annual festival of the Kokiri Forest, which is greatly anticipated, is drawing near. Cleaning up all over the forest, practicing the songs and dances... everyone's busy with preparations.
...So is Link. He's come back to Hyrule from his heroic quest in search for Navi in Termina and other lands so he can attend to that annual festivity that brings back so many memories of his childhood. He then, decides to invite Zelda there so she can escape from the royal and political matters she deals with for at least one day. Of course, that's also the best moment for him to ask her hand in marriage and the Lost Woods seem the perfect place to make her his once and for all, body and soul all together..."

Rated: M

Genre: Romance

Pairings: ZeldaxLink & one-sided MidoxSaria

Disclaimer:

Sadly, I can't own the Legend of Zelda OoT cast and story since the only one suited for that wonderful right is a genius. And what other genius is there beside Miyamoto-sensei? T.T I envy him... I want my Link... He's a cutie...

Touch me

By Mase992 (-chan)

Rustle. The rustling sound of leaves from the trees seemed to be the wind's rattle as the soft breeze brushed the green leaves tenderly, it's howling sound echoing all over the Lost Woods. The wind continued its singing and was suddenly accompanied by a sweet and low tune. The music came from the trees and the melody sounded tranquil as it guided the wind's song through the trees. The sound was that of a flute, well, a bit softer... it was an ocarina. The sound coming from that mystical instrument sounded so pure that the notes themselves seemed to be alive and were dancing and bouncing around the forest as some kind of invisible wall that protected it from outsiders. The Lost Woods were enveloped in that mysterious playing and it seemed it would never let go from it, when suddenly...

"Hey Saria!"

Emerald eyes fluttered open from their trance and the music and its magic surrounding the forest stopped. The green haired girl who was sitting on the broken stairs at the entrance to the Forest Temple looked down and a smile spreaded across her rosy lips. She rested her pink ocarina on her lap and waved back at the child below her.

"Morning Mido! I didn't know you were up so early!"

The freckled orange-haired boy bellow seemed to blush a little as the female greeted him. The self-proclaimed Kokiri Boss, Mido had always had a crush on Saria who wouldn't notice about what he felt since his arrogant ways hid his inner feelings always. Especially since he came around... that fairy-less... Link! Humph. How much he hated talking about his "rival" (or so he called him since he was Saria's best friend) who had left the Kokiri Forest time ago... approximately (yeah Mido counted them) 7 years had been since he went in his so called adventure to save Hyrule. Yeah right, if it weren't because of him Saria wouldn't space out like she did nowadays and be alone in the forest playing the ocarina, and more importantly, playing the song she taught Link! Argh!! He was sure the twerp was dead by now... a monster or something would've killed him. He knew that Link was not a Kokiri, he was a Hylian; the Great Deku Tree shouldn't have allowed him to stay here when he was a baby. He shouldn't have even been born! Grr...

Saria blinked confused as she stared at Mido from her spot at the Forest Temple, she could have sworn she saw Mido's head fuming...

"Uh... Mido... are you feeling okay?"

The Kokiri boss noticed his flushed face and cleared his throat as he gave Saria the sweetest smile ever. In Saria's point of view it was a sickening gesture, far worse than a Deku Scrub's gloomy expression.

"Oh it's... nothing... Are you gonna come and help us with the preparations for the festivity? Remember that today the Great Deku Tree is going to give birth to the new fairy orbs and more importantly, we gotta get our roles for the play! "

Something clicked in the Kokiri girl's head as she looked at him happier, "Oh right! The play! I wonder if you'll be the monster again this year Mido, tee hee." She then jumped next to him.

The male frowned, "Excuse me?! Shall I remind you that I was the prince last time? The monster was played by..." he smacked himself mentally when he noticed Saria's expression darkening a bit. Right! Link had been the monster the last time! Argh! Stupid! Idiot!!!

"It was... Link..." murmured Saria more to herself than to Mido and hugged the wind instrument tightly against her chest.

Mido moaned, "Aww... Saria, forget about that idiot already... I'm sure he's dead."

Saria turned to him with a frown, "What did you just say?!"

The male flinched, "Err... I mean... he's fine alright." He then laughed nervously. Boy, Saria sure was scary when she got angry...

Saria sighed, "I know what you mean... he hasn't contacted me in the past few months... remember he can talk to me whenever he plays my song... our song..."

Mido shrugged and poked his nose with apparent lack of interest, "Yeah well... I'm sure he's out there busy... girl-chasing..."

Saria snapped back at him with a slight blush tainting her cheeks, "Oh Mido... why do you always say that?" And then she giggled. Mido flushed like mad. She was so darn cute when she was laughing... Soon after they both started walking out from Sacred Forest Meadow.

"How did you know I was here?" she asked.

He shrugged, "Well, I've noticed that ever since you want to be alone and think... you come into the woods and... well I figured this was a good place to be at. I... uh... come here to think... stuff too."

Saria tilted her head, "Really?"

"A-and I... love... uh... strawberries and cream and looking into the stars thinking about... what may be beyond the forest!"

"That's great! That's my favorite dish too and I like doing that! Awesome Mido, we have lots in common tee hee."

Mido was lying through his teeth; the sneaky bastard, but he would do anything in order to impress Saria and make her cherish him more than that moron who abandoned her. Yes, things were starting to go the right way. He could hear his conscience telling him: "Way to go Mido! You almost got her for yourself! Now, just take her hand... and the rest is magic!" The truth was that his fairy was the one whispering the stuff he had just said from inside his hat. You guessed right, he had sent his fairy to spy on the green-haired girl and use that for his advantage. He felt so good. Saria was finally all for himself and Link was outta the way!

"Link...? Is that... you?" He heard Saria shout enthusiastically. He fell anime-style. Damnit... he was probably using telepathy through the song she taught him. Why had he had to interrupt his special moment?! He had also practiced his marriage vows till late at night!! Grr... Link was surely gonna pay for this...

Saria made some distance from the peeping Mido and continued talking through telepathy; the song she had taught Link when he was leaving the forest had the ability to contact him mentally. The song was named Saria's Song. She could hear Link's voice in her head and now... it sounded... quite different. It wasn't childish anymore it was... mature. The Kokiri never grew and stayed as children for eternity but Link wasn't a Kokiri so he surely had grown in the past seven years. Saria squealed; she couldn't wait to see her friend all grown up.

"Link? Is that really you? It's been a long time!! How are you?" she said with her eyes glittering with happiness. All of a sudden, Mido had been forgotten.

- - -

The clear water from Lake Hylia reflected the face of a male. The figure's piercing blue eyes stared intently at its reflection, and then its hands reached for the liquid and splashed its owner's face. It was a young man with pointy ears and a piercing on one of them. There was no doubt about it, it was a Hylian. His dirty blonde locks covered part of his sweaty forehead and its tips almost reached his azure orbs. A long green hood covered the back of his head, he wore a green tunic that matched with the color of the hat and a gleaming sword and shield clung onto his muscular torso.

The young teen cleaned the dripping fluid from his ruddy face and sighed with relief. The hot weather made the soil sticky and get to his front easily since he had been riding his horse: a rouge mare that was grazing by the lake. The scene of the water dripping down his dirty cheeks and tracing his face's curves as he panted because of the hot weather made him look quite sexy. He then turned to his horse and caressed its snout; the steed gently tugged its opening and used its tail to scare the flies away.

"Shall we go Epona?" he asked without erasing the smile from his lips. The steed seemed to neigh in agreement as he jumped back on its saddle. Before moving on he took from out of his pocket an ocarina that was just as blue as the sky. Since he had brought peace back to Hyrule the sky was always of that color. He stared at the instrument for a moment as memories of himself as a boy and a young girl holding this same ocarina rushed into his senses. The female had bright cerulean eyes and she looked sadly at him and handed that same instrument to his extended hands.

"The Ocarina of Time... it's safer if you hold onto it...and..." she said, "I'm sure it will come in handy in your journey."

"Princess Zelda..."

He closed his eyes and started playing a sweet tune that seemed to be accompanied with the singing of the leaves and plants. Just as he finished and separated his lips from the instrument's mouth he could hear a girl's voice inside his head. It was a very familiar and friendly voice. It was Saria.

"Link? Is that really you? It's been a long time!! How are you?" she sounded so excited now that he had called for her. Link felt great that he could hear her voice again after so long.

"Yo Saria. I'm doing fine and I'm back in Hyrule. I'm currently in Lake Hylia and stayed the night at the Lakeside Laboratory. I have so much to tell you." He could imagine Saria smiling at the sound of his adult voice and continued, "Hey guess what? I'm planning on going to the Kokiri Forest to attend to this year's festival."

Link heard his long-time friend squeal delighted and had to cover his sensitive ears from the noise, "Are you really coming?!"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Aiee!!! I'm gonna tell Mido about this, oh and the Great Deku Tree, no wait... I'll tell everyone!! Link I can't wait to see you!"

The blonde smiled, "Me too Saria, I miss all of you guys, even my fights with Mido."

- - -

Saria turned to Mido as happy as ever, "Link says hi."

The Kokiri boss humphed and put his hands on his waist defiantly, "Feh! Whatever. I just hope that fairy-less isn't coming."

Saria rolled her eyes because of his sickly reaction, "He's really never gonna change..." she whispered to herself and then contacted Link once more, "Mido misses you too." She giggled.

Mido gawked, "WHAT?!"

- - -

Link grinned, "I bet he does. Heh. Oh that's right, Saria... may I ask for a favor?"

"Why of course Link! Whatever is it that you need?" she answered.

"Well... you see... could you convince the Great Deku Tree if I could bring... (blush) a dear friend with me?"

"Who's that?" childish curiosity was found in every word of that sentence and he could tell that Saria, as she always did, had tilted her head puzzled.

Link could feel his cheeks burning when he remembered this special friend of his… especially her face. She had these entrancing sky-blue eyes, white and soft skin, silky hair that was even fair more golden than the Triforce. But what he could never forget from her were those lips. So beautiful... how much he had wanted to taste them... ever since he first met her... they had tainted him, making his body twitch with anxiety and feel such unbearable desire to feel the owner of said lips.

He sighed dreamily.

"... Link? Link? Link?! Are you still there?"

The boy snapped back to reality as his cheeks darkened because of embarrassment, "Sorry Saria I was just... well it doesn't matter..."

"Who do you want to bring with you then?"

"... Princess Zelda."

- - -

Saria seemed to have stopped breathing at the mere whispering of that name, "The princess? By Farore... why do yo—"

Link's voice interrupted her, "Please Saria, can you convince the Great Deku Tree about it? She'll love it here... especially when the fairy orbs are gaining their light..."

Saria sighed, "Link, you know the rules... it'll be hard to convince him. Outsiders are not allowed to enter the forest and leave, not before they become plants... like... your mother..."

Link was silent for a moment, "Come on Saria. You know I'm an exception to this rule. I'm a Hylian; nonetheless I was allowed to live there among you and the others. Please, only this time."

The green haired girl sighed in defeat by imagining her beloved friend making puppy eyes at her like he used to do when he was little.

"...Okay... I'll do my best."

Link's heart bumped happily, "Saria thank you so much!!!"

Saria smiled to herself, he was still like when he was a boy…

"Don't even mention it. I now have to go get ready. You see, we're gonna check this year's roles for the play..."

Link nodded, "Great. I can't wait to see you wearing that princess costume again. Ha ha ha."

"We'll see this year," she smiled, "And remember you're still my best friend."

"Yep."

And then, he could hear her voice no more.

- - -

´ Sigh. This is boring...´

The Royal Council of Hyrule sat in the Congress Room scowling and discussing about political and economical matters of their distinctive lands. Some argued about lacking products to trade since it was the prime way of surviving besides fishery that the Zoras were in charge of. Others claimed for the unification of the kingdom. Since Ganondorf's death, Hyrule's politics and economy went down because in his time of reign, Hyrule passed through a time of poverty and misery without the rule of the Royal Family and the true heir of the throne. This matter had also started several guerrilla movements and constant looting from the Gerudo Tribe in the far West. The Gerudo who supported Ganondorf were against the return of the Royal Family and wanted to stay longer in the power. There were other groups from the same tribe who became allies with Hyrule; the Sage of Spirit and master thief, Nabooru, guided those. They only wanted peace and the land to return to normal or at least avoid a new war between Hylians and Gerudos. It was an age of peace and chaos all at once.

Princess Zelda sighed as she looked at the bickering members of the Royal Council. They were all old, bitter men who denied everything she proposed. Not even her father would listen. They still considered she was a junior member of the council and not mature enough to participate. She would only make an act of presence because of her royal title. She was sick of that. She sat sternly against her golden chair listening to the constant discussions on how to solve this delicate matter. Hyrule was at the brink of war and she could only sit there and listen to at least 10 elderly men babbling about the same old stuff. The Constitution this… the Gerudos that… and they just couldn't say a thing that would make way to the resolution. Her sky-blue eyes searched around their moving mouths, their silver beards, and the sound of their voices rumbling like a thousand tolling bells inside her ears.

"May I please have your attention?" she said standing and receiving the old men's piercing looks. With only staring at her, she felt as if they were digging holes through her body.

"We've been discussing this issue for far too long and every minute that passes by could be fatal to the lives of the civilians and we still can't find the answer..." she paused to look around at their reactions, "...which is quite evident."

"What do you suggest Princess?" asked a member brushing his long mustache with his fingers and eyeing her nastily with his tired eyes. He faked being interested in her proposal.

Zelda held her chin high, "We should make a pact with the Gerudos."

The council members turned to look at one another, denial already written all over their wrinkled features.

"That's ridiculous!! Make an alliance with the enemy? It will lead to war!"

"If we get to that point then we could take serious action but first we should try and talk to them. Give them some rights in order to avoid the rising of a new Evil King. The Gerudos have been avoided for far too long."

"What would you then ask of us Your Highness? Risk our soldiers to go into enemy lands and most likely begin another guerrilla? That would threaten Hyrule even more and, with all due respect, why are you so sure that they won't betray us?"

Zelda eyed that old man coldly. "Because, I doubt that they would spoil the opportunity of enjoying of rights. Perhaps, if we gave them more importance and did not let them rot in exile, they would rather consider the treaty."

"Are you on the Gerudos' side?!"

"On the contrary, I'm on the side of peace and justice to every race of Hyrule and I'm sure that our old time friend Nabooru wouldn't deny to this pact."

"Your Highness…" said one politician turning to King Harkinian who had not uttered a word in all this time, "I believe your daughter doesn't quite understand the seriousness of the circumstances nor her role inside this council…"

The elderly monarch rubbed his chin as he gazed coldly at Zelda, "I know what you mean Lord Daltus. I'm thoroughly ashamed that my own daughter is trying to diminish the council's power and my own."

Misunderstood, Zelda faced her father, "I never meant to do that Father. All I wish is that peace returns to your kingdom, nothing more."

"Then hasty decisions must be taken if peace must return to this Hyrule. If war is the solution we need then so be it!"

The golden haired teen gawked, "But Father…! Another war is unnecessary and it will only lead to self-destruction!"

"Don't you raise your voice at me!" he scolded making Zelda flinch.

"I beg your pardon… Your Highness," she said looking down.

"Zelda… soon you shall be the queen of this land I've been governing for all this time and you still don't understand your role? If sacrifices must be done in order to save others then that's how it's going to be."

"But that is an unfair decision to the people! Think of them!"

Zelda gulped as King Harkinian stared at her as if she wasn't his daughter anymore. She couldn't contradict the King's decisions yet… even though he was her father. It was horrible that with only staring at her he could just shut her up and extinguish the flame of determination inside of her.

"In order to become a good ruler you must learn that hardships must be taken such as sacrificing the weak so the strong can survive! Not by following idiotic dreams of peace that will never occur or foolish ideals! People like us must show their superiority and to do that, inferior beings must be used. That's the only way of living on."

Shivers ran down her spine as his all too familiar words ringed in her ears, "You sound just like that tyrant… Ganondorf…!"

The other politicians gasped and turned to their fuming king, waiting to hear the Princess's punishment.

"… I don't need your presence here anymore. Leave, it's an order."

Zelda sighed and bowed, "Yes My Lord, please excuse me." After saying that she stormed out of the cavernous chamber and headed down the long castle halls and into the Courtyard. She always went there when she wanted to be alone in order to think, cry, or simply to kill time. She remembered very well that she used to go there and play (if she had time to play) when she was little and that was the same place where she met him. Link…

She sighed as she remembered the time when they fought together to save Hyrule from the Evil King, the same land that she was trying to protect once again, but now she was alone. He was not there anymore to help her and it seemed as if all they had worked for was going down the drain. Hyrule would be destroyed once again and by means of her own father. She closed her eyes, a lonely tear raced down her cheeks. She wanted to see Link again, it was lonely without him. She wanted to hear his stories about his adventures in other lands. It was the only way for her to leave the castle and visit foreign kingdoms, fight monsters, and be beside Link in his journeys; their journeys together.

Suddenly she felt something smooth cover her eyes and then all was left in darkness. A sweet and familiar voice tickled her ears, "Guess who's back?"

The strange feeling of butterflies in her stomach and a wave of happiness took over her as she smiled and removed the hands from her face, "Link...?"

Her eyes met his as both stared at one another for a moment until he smiled at her, "Hey Zelda. It's been a long time."

The princess couldn't help herself as she hugged him tightly by the waist, making the young hero blush like mad.

"Oh link I've missed you! Where have you been all this time?!" Tears of happiness streamed down her eyes like cascades as she held him tighter, "How did you get this far?"

Link shrugged slightly, "No big deal. Security is rather bad in here."

Zelda giggled; her wish had come true! He had come back and hadn't forgotten about her! He was here just when she needed him the most; it was truly wonderful to see him back.

"Uh… Zelda…?" Link managed to say as his face turned redder with the proximity of their bodies. Gosh she was far more beautiful than he had remembered. Yet his moment ended just as quickly as it had started when she noticed the awkward situation. She separated herself from him while blushing fiercely.

"I'm sorry…"

Link smiled. The princess blushed even more at his cute expression. He was so perfect… and free from all things. He had never been tied to something… like her. In some way she envied him. He could go around freely without worrying of anything. He could go to distant lands and meet new things, new cultures, new people… oh… how she wished she could do that too. She wanted to leave the castle and feel the sun on her pale skin; she wanted to fly away from that prison. She wanted to go with Link and be with him on his adventures; there she would be useful and loved. Not like in here where she would only stand in the shadows of a castle and see her life go on without her. She felt so useless…

"Zellie...? Are you okay?" asked the male placing his hand on her shoulder when he noticed her gloomy expression, "Aren't you glad to see me?" Link's face fell.

Zelda snapped back to reality and turned to him, suddenly regaining her good mood, "Oh Link that's not it! Of course I'm happy to see you! You don't know how much I've missed you..."

Link placed his hand shyly on top of hers, "I'm sorry I made you wait this long…"

The wind started blowing, making his dirty blonde locks to cover part of his blushing face and enhancing Zelda's beauty. Her blue eyes were just as the Zora's sapphire and like that jewel did, they reflected his image clearly. Her fluttering golden hair glistened with the sunrays that beamed on them and her rosy lips brought back that sensation of wanting to taste them. Link tried to fight back. He didn't know how Zelda would react to his feelings. He feared she would reject him and that was the less he wanted.

"Oh yeah… I brought you this…"

He took from out of his pocket a beautiful blue stone that glimmered faintly with the sun's light and had the form of a tear. Zelda's eyes widened with admiration at the present as she took it slowly in between her fingers, "It's beautiful! ...What is it?" she asked embarrassed.

"It's a very rare stone called Moon's Tear. I got it when I went to Termina. Rumors from the villagers said that it was a real tear that came from the moon when it was sad and it cried. I had the opportunity to see this one falling from the moon's eye. It kind of reminded me of you so I brought it for you."

"I love it Link… thanks…" she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and then turned to examine her present. Link thought he was dreaming… the sensation of her lips against his skin was indescribable. It ran shivers down his spine as well as a warm sensation filled his body. He found himself wanting more…

"Hey uh… Zelda… how have things been going around here?"

Zelda turned her face away, "Terrible… my Father won't listen me… I'm aware that a new war will arrive to this land…"

"A war?!" thought Link worried and turning back at his beloved.

"I feel… so lonely Link… it's as if I was just an ornament in the Royal Council and I can't help my people… it's horrible! They won't listen to my proposals! I hate it…! It's as if I counted with no one…"

"That's not true…" Zelda turned to him with watery eyes, "You know you count with me."

The young lady grinned as more tears raced down her cheeks, "I know… and that's why… I ask of you to please stay here… with me. We must bring sense into my Father and if there really were to be a war I ask of your assistance in battle. We must protect Hyrule once again."

Link smiled, "I swore that I would protect this land and you Zelda no matter the circumstances, and I will keep that promise."

She smiled, "I'm sure you will."

Both stared at one another for what seemed eternity, an eternity of pure bliss. Their eyes met and were not going to be separated. His grip on her hand tightened and then his face started approaching hers. She never retreated; she just stayed in the same spot waiting for him. She had always waited and for him it was not fair, but she never hesitated. She would always wait… wait for him. No more waiting… no… now was the time. He continued on his way as her lips seemed to come to him. Closer… closer… he saw her close her eyes and her lips were calling desperately for his. He closed his eyes too, enveloped with excitement. Finally the moment had come… the one he had waited for all this time… it was perfect...

"Princess!"

Both teens snapped back to reality when a male's voice interrupted their peace. Link blushed when he noticed what he had almost done and Zelda seemed furious that they had been stopped. Apparently she had been conscious of their doing. She turned her head sharply and her eyes met her victim: a guard.

"What?!" she asked, the fire of hatred burning intensely inside of her.

Link flinched; he had never seen Zelda so angry before. Now he knew it was really scary and he would rather avoid doing it in the future. Though, he cursed silently; he had been so close… he had almost kissed Zelda! His dreams had turned into reality for an instant he would hold onto forever. Maybe it would never happen again… maybe that was his one opportunity… but it had been wasted! He clenched the grass beneath his palm tightly with anger.

The guard noticed the princess's tone of voice and instinctively cold sweat poured down his temple like a cascade, "I'm sorry to interrupt you Your Highness but the King asks for your attendance." He said with nervousness awfully noticeable in his voice, "And I believe I should lead that young man to the exit…"

Her eyes seemed to flash with anger, "Link is a special guest that has my authorization to come and go through the castle as he pleases," she said sharply. Zelda turned to Link sadly and sighed, all signs of anger were gone already, "Please tell my Father I'll be with him in a moment."

The sentinel bowed hurriedly and left, not willing to enrage the princess even more. Just as he left, Zelda's attention returned to Link, "I'm sorry but I… must go now…"

Link made a pout, "Do you really have to?"

"Yes. Father must know about your stay. I'll send Impa to show you your room and the place later."

She turned but was stopped when she felt Link's hand gripping her wrist tightly, "Link…?"

"I almost forget to tell you that I want you to go with me to Kokiri Forest to a party we'll celebrate today. Will you come?"

Zelda smiled warmly, she just couldn't say no to him, "I'll see what I can do. When do we leave?"

Link smiled mischievously, "After sunset."

- - -

Zelda brushed her golden hair as she looked out into the distance, though the cold winds did the task of combing her long locks. She could see from her room's balcony the sun setting in the far West. The day slowly crept away, through distinct irritations of violet and navy, into twilight and later it would become the first night of spring. The little stars that had already appeared on the color-shifting heavens seemed like twinkling dots that stained the spreading blanket of dark blue. Just as the sun hid itself in between the hills surrounding Death Mountain, the promise of a new day left together with it and hope took its place in the princess's heart. The moon seemed to come dancing, with the steps Din taught her during The Creation, from within the clouds as its pale light shone gloriously all over the darkened land.

Zelda gave out a sigh as the moonlight hit her delicate skin hidden beneath her nightgown, as if it was afraid of the light's touch. Sky-blue eyes searched all over the heavens for any sign of a constellation and hidden in the right corner of the Milky Way, which flowed like a river on top of the castle, were three glimmering stars of changing colors. The one on the top was red, the one on the left side was blue, and the one on the right side was green. Then the colors were shifted and the change was just as long as the beat of a racing heart. They were placed in different positions separated equally from the spot in the middle and created the form of a perfect triangle: The Giant Triangle or The Triforce. That constellation was supposed to be a sign of good luck and it marked the exact place where Hyrule Castle was standing.

Zelda had read when she was a kid that when the three goddesses Din, Nayru, and Farore came to the land that was now Hyrule, they created all living beings. After their task was done, they left behind the Sacred Triangle of the Golden Land, the Triforce and the place where it laid was named the Sacred Realm, the same spot where the Temple of Time was constructed in order to protect it. So in honor of that, the castle was built where the goddesses' sign, the Giant Triangle's constellation, was in. She had been told that the castle would be protected against any dark magic because of the Giant Triangle's power but she knew that after the incident with Ganondorf the star pattern was not magical at all. In fact, all the stars, even the Giant Triangle itself had been covered completely by the ominous clouds that surrounded the castle during the Gerudo King's reign. She was sure that the goddesses wouldn't be beaten so easily, so the legend she had been taught about that star was a fake, just like a simple bedtime story used by her mother to make her sleep peacefully when she was still but a child. Now she knew better.

The princess continued looking at the obscure setting around her home. It was dark and silent; she could only hear the wind's voice whispering to her. Telling her of long awaited travels in distant lands and the childish giggle of the kid who was listening to his mother telling him a story of adventures before being tucked into bed reached her senses. She smiled, even at rough times such as these children would still play and laugh, never aware of the violence that threatened to change their lives forever. That same thing had happened to her and Link once. They were too young to understand that consequences of their acts but she never had the time nor will to entertain herself when she was a girl. She always worked and studied in order to make her father proud, even at the young age of 9 when she met her beloved friend. She would sometimes escape from the fortress and run into the Market in order to meet kids her age and live at least one day like a normal girl, just playing and laughing.

Her wish came true at some point, on the day she found a young troubled lad who apparently had no money to pay the bread he had eaten ravenously from a stand. She felt compassion for the boy and helped him. Later on she grew to know his name was Link and for one wonderful day they played and forgot all about adults, politics, war, and even her own royal title. She was normal at last. The day had ended and the fantasies finished too. She had to leave her friend only to know that he would later save her and the land she would rule.

It was funny... it had all started with a simple unpaid loaf of bread and then... the rest was like magic. Sadly her and Link's childhood was taken from them; he slept for 7 years and she waited for him in exile. Now she had been given a second chance and she had spoiled it once again. At least Link was there. He had always understood her feelings and at times brought back the inner child hidden deep inside of her, just like he did when they met in the Market 7 years ago. She was glad. All she wanted now was that he came to her room to take her out in an adventure in the forest. That was all she wanted now, she wanted to leave her stony imprisonment.

Just as if the goddesses had read her thoughts the sweet melody her caretaker Impa had taught Link, Zelda's Lullaby, caressed her ears and lulled her senses. She looked down at the Courtyard and spotted the young teen resting his back against a wall and playing his ocarina peacefully. She sighed dreamily. He was so beautiful...

- - -

Link looked into the sky, a slight blush tainting his cheeks. He felt as if someone was thinking of him. It was a weird feeling but he shrugged it away. It had been a tough day... convincing Zelda's father to allow him to stay was quite a hard task. He had almost been dumped out of the castle if it wasn't because he showed him he possessed the mythical ocarina of the Royal Family. That brought back the memories of him being the Hero of Time and King Harkinian quickly apologized.

All Link wanted to do now was see Zelda again, he just couldn't stand that he was so close to her and yet so far. He knew where his room was located and where to go if he needed to use the bathroom (not counting he got lost countless times before) but he preferred to sleep under the stars and be close to nature. Somehow he got used to the simple life of a roamer and he usually slept in the outside leaning against his faithful horse Epona. Speaking of Epona... she had been cleaned and saddled properly, then fed with the finest porridge, made by the sweet yet chubby cook Ms. Marshy who had thoroughly insisted that he was too thin and needed to eat a lot (sweatdrop). Then she had been placed in the stable along with the other royal horses.

He wasn't used to all this luxury... in his room, a king-sized bed with perfectly folded blankets made of animal skin and velvet, was set in the right side of the cavernous room. The floor was so well polished that he could even see his own reflection clearer than in Lake Hylia's water. Marble walls towered above him with sculpted images of the three goddesses who were creating Hyrule. Following the pattern of an ivy made of the precious stone from a column to the ceiling, he could see an image made of mosaics that showed the Sacred Triforce glistening because of its light yellow stained glass. He then saw a drawing of himself holding part of it and with his left hand he gripped the Master Sword. Painted ivies and a combination of brown and green that were supposed to represent the forest surrounded his side. Six colorful and circular jewels that had carved on them the symbols of the Six Temples made a perfect circle around the image, like a frame and it started in Link's side with the Forest Medallion. Zelda was on the opposite section holding another triangle and behind her was a well detailed painting of Hyrule Castle that seemed prosperous and rich in life. Sheik's figure was painted in a way that it seemed as if it was the Princess's shadow as he held his harp. On the top triangle and emanating shades of black and purple was Ganondorf whose red mosaic eyes seemed as real and evil as the real ones had been. On top of it all was a clearing with the background painted with light blue and with clouds giving the impression to be moving. In the middle and surging from them came a ray of light from the sun that was directed to an object painted in blue: The Ocarina of Time.

He had gasped because of all the detail from the picture and after admiring it with his mouth wide open he continued inspecting his room. Alongside the bed was a small fireplace for him if he had cold at night with a pile of freshly cut wood next to it. In the opposite wall was a huge balcony which was opposite to the tower where Zelda's room was. A closet made of the finest wood was in the left side and there he placed his belongings. The furniture was made with fine designs of animals that seemed as if they would just come to life and spring at him, carved onto the wood with a Celtic style. Also the edges of the doors and the drawers were gilded with pure gold. Candles had been lit all around the room and the smell of jasmine flowers enveloped the place like potent venom.

Now that he thought of it his room smelled like Zelda. She emanated the scent of the morning dew and her silky hair's odor was just as the perfume of the flowers blooming in this time of the year. She reeked with livelihood and splendour. It was some sort of charm that had him ensnared. In all his years of fighting monsters there was not one time when he hesitated and feared for his life. He didn't fear death. He even liked to trick death, but this time he found himself falling right into the trap that was set for him alone; he was prey of unrequitable love.

He proceeded to place the Ocarina of Time against his lips and played the tune he knew so well deep inside his heart and that with only six notes it said too much of himself. He played Zelda's Lullaby. The only thing his love had given him and he had still kept with him even though time had changed so many things.

He looked up at the stars since he always found peace of mind when he watched them... the stars also reminded him of Zelda... of her shining mirror eyes. For Din! Everything reminded him of her!

It was almost time for him to go get Zelda so they could go to Kokiri Forest and attend the festival. He had lost his opportunity to touch the Princess earlier but he would not waste it this time. No... not anymore... he wouldn't waste his time again... every passing second was precious. Time was a valuable thing; he had learned that quite well during his adventures to save Hyrule from Ganondorf. He had lost 7 years of his life and he had the option to regain them and Zelda would be by his side this time.

He continued playing as the melody made him feel tranquil and it seemed as if the stars twinkled with the rhythm of the tune. Especially the red, blue, and green flashes that came from the Giant Triangle as it danced with his song. He turned and his gaze met the object of his dreams. Standing on a balcony was Zelda combing her hair and staring at the stars.

Apparently she was deep in thought and he could only imagine her dreams and fondest desires. He was sure she wanted freedom. He would give her that, no matter how but he would free her... he would help her stretch her wings and fly toward the sun. They would fly together.

Link found himself staring at the female for eternity as the candlelight contrasting with her moon skin and slim figure made her beauty an exquisite spectacle. Her golden locks cascaded down her face and rested peacefully on her nude shoulders. The sight of his princess wearing her undergarments and staring at the sky created an explosion of shyness in him and a mixture of feelings rushed through his body as a warning shiver.

He smiled, "I'm glad you've waited for me..."

And then as if she felt the presence of another's eyes falling on her form, she turned and their eyes met for a moment. She smiled at him and he stopped playing his wind instrument in order to wave back at her, blushing like mad.

He had to be dreaming... yes he had to for his body wouldn't answer to his mind's demands. So he just stayed there looking at her until the sight of his beloved vanished within curtains of velvet and he was alone with the stars again.

He then sighed dreamily. She was so beautiful...

- - -