The Legend of Zelda: Everlasting (2nd book in the Timeless series)

Chapter 18

Zelda walked through the town, calling for all women and children to come. Quite a few did voluntarily, but she ended up having to go through homes to get the rest. She hated doing so, but leaving was best for everyone, and she had to keep her people safe,

"Miss, I need you to come out and come with me to the castle. We will be leaving soon," She called, knocking on another door,

"We will not! I apologize your highness, but we will be staying here. I have been here for years! My children have grown up here! We can't just abandon it!" She heard an older woman call out from inside,

"Well, which is more important to you? Your home or your lives? We are only trying to protect you, and this is how we must do it. Please, just come out. You can bring what you'd like. We have the room," She said, trying to coax her out. There was no reply for awhile, and she was just about to have to go in by force when the door finally opened,

"Ok..."She murmered before ushering the children outside and followed them towards the castle,

"Thank you," Zelda said kindly before going on to the next house.

She really needed to tell Link. Why hadn't she? Oh, yeah, because he was busy trying to protect everyone's lives, she remembered, rolling her eyes at her own selfishness. It was important, but not as much as what he was doing now. She pushed the thoughts out of her mind for now and continued going through the town.

It didn't take too long to finish up, and then she headed back to the men,

"The women are ready if you can spare a few men to help load, " She said to Link. He looked distracted, and he had right to be with all of the multi-tasking he was doing,

"Yeah, ok," He said quickly before motioning a few men over, "Go help the women load, will you?"

"Yes sir," They replied, starting towards the castle. Before she followed, she leaned in and kissed his cheek,

"I love you," She said, smiling slightly. He glanced down at her, "Huh? Oh, yeah, me too. Hey, make sure that harness is tight! That horse tends to try and wander off without us noticing" He called to a few men who were strapping in a horse. She sighed before following the men who were going to help.

They were already gathering items to take back,

"I will need any young woman to help load. Older women and children, please remain here until the carriages are ready. Thank you," Several women stepped forward and started grabbing things. Zelda did the same. She then carried it back to the front gates of Castle Town, where a carriage was already backed up and ready for them. They started loading quickly, everyone obviously eager to go where it was safe. She glanced over in Link's direction. He was running a hand through his hair, something he tended to do when he was stressed, and was talking to one of the knight commanders. She turned and walked back with the others.

It didn't take too many trips with that many people helping. After awhile, they had finally finished packing the last carriage. Link then approached her,

"Are you guys all finished?" She nodded, "Good. We should get moving." That was it. Then, he turned and gave the knights a thumbs up. Then, older people and babies packed into the carriages. Everyone else would ride a mount if they had one, otherwise they would walk.

Zelda mounted her mare, giving Castle Town one last glance before flicking the reigns.

~~

Their trip was slow-moving, with all the weight the carriage horses had to pull, along with the slowness of walking people. She looked around her as she rode. Hyrule really was a beautiful place, and she hated that soon, if they didn't stop it, it could all be in ruins.

Link moved Epona closer to the mare,

"Hey," He said simply, she looked over at him,

"Hello," He flashed her one of his gorgeous smiles and, for a moment, she forgot everything. She smiled smally,

"Don't worry about anything, love. We've got this under control. They won't take Hyrule," He said, sensing her distress. She nodded,

"I trust you have things under control. But...Link?" He looked back at her questioningly, "I have something I should tell you. I wasn't going to yet, but I think you should know..."

"Yeah?" He urged her, giving her his full attention,

"I'm-"

"King Link!" Someone called from a carriage,

"What?" He replied, instantly forgetting they were talking. He sped up his horse to speak with them. Zelda sighed, looking down.

When would she get the chance to let him know? With all of these distractions, he would be so busy and probably wouldn't be around much. She could understand all of that, but this was something he needed to know, in case something happened. She didn't call him back though. She merely watched him for a moment and after realizing he wasn't coming back, she murmered under her breath.

He couldn't hear her though. He wouldn't hear her for a long time, it seemed. There was nothing she could do about that, though.

She was forced to push those thoughts aside as they neared Kakariko,

"Welcome to your new home, everyone! We hope you enjoy it while you're here, but it is only temporary. You will be better protected here." Link called out to everyone. He smiled across to all of them, as if trying to make them feel better about the situation they were in, "Now, you all will have tonight to rest, but starting tomorrow all men 16 years old through 50 years old will meet at the new training grounds to begin training. You will have some of the best masters around there to help you become fit to protect Hyrule. I thank you all now for your service," He nodded to them all before turning his horse and beginning to lead the group inside the town,

"Link," She tried one more time. He didn't respond,

"I'm pregnant..." She murmered to herself before slowly following.

~~

A/N- Ugh, so sorry for the long time and short chapter!! DX I have so much going on right now, its hard to find time to write. Anyway, enjoy!