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

Chapter 23

Link smiled smally as he drifted back into consciousness, tightening his arm around Zelda. He didn't open his eyes, wanting to keep himself in this moment forever. He felt her running her fingers down his abs. Her warmth and heartbeat calmed him, to the point where he almost slipped back into the peaceful sleep he had just came out of. He sighed in content before opening his eyes and looking lovingly down at her. Her perfect bright eyes met his gaze and he lifted his hand to stroke her cheek,

"Good morning," He said gently. She smiled smally,

"Good morning," She replied, reaching up and kissing his lips before pulling herself off the bed. Link watched as she did, smirking,

"We can't stay here?" He then asked, looking up at the ceiling. Her quiet laughter sounded like bells,

"Unfortunately, no. We have to get to training," She said, pulling on a black crop top with slits in the sides, and a full length skirt. It had two huge slits in the sides, going clear up to the top and exposing the short shorts she wore underneath. Link would have never seen Zelda wearing something like that. Where and when did she even get it?

"Wait, we? You're not going," He said, sitting up. She looked over at him,

"Link, I can't just sit around while you train to go out and possibly get killed. I am the Queen. I have to protect our people too," She said stubbornly, "I won't need much. Just a little time. I can be a good fighter,"

"No way," He said, shaking his head and standing. He walked over and pulled on his usual attire. He heard Zelda sigh before walking out. He looked over to where she had been before finishing what he was doing and walking out after her.

He looked around as he walked outside. She was nowhere to be found. He crossed his fingers and walked towards the training grounds.

Of course,

"Sir Link! I'm sorry, but the Queen told us to let her train with us," A knight said to him, looking worried that Link would force him to choose which Royal to obey. Link sighed, walking past him and walking towards Zelda,

"Hey! I was thinking we should go to lunch after training, to catch up and talk, you know," Quinn said, stepping in front of him,

"What? Oh, sorry, can't. Gotta talk to Zelda," He said, looking down at her. She feigned hurt,

"Wow, I see how it is. A girl you get to see every day and night takes priority over an old friend you havent seen in years, and have barely spoken to since. Ok, I understand, I guess," She said, turning to leave. Link laughed airily, running a hand through his hair,

"Oh, you're good. Ok, ok, let's go to lunch afterwards," He said. She smiled at him, giving him a thumbs-up,

"Great! See you then!" She walked off and he continued over to Zelda,

"Why are you doing this?" He asked her quietly. She looked at him,

"I am determined to be of some use to you. If you risk your life, so do I. We're in this together," She turned back to what she was doing. Link was about to argue, but he was called, so he sighed and walked away.

~~

She looked after him as he walked away, keeping up her facade. It was hard, dealing with the loser and pretending she was Zelda. She enjoyed her man MUCH more, in every way. Still, Link was...entertaining, and he knew how to pleasure her. She bit her lip, thinking about the two of them.

She pushed the thoughts away, turning back to what she was doing. She scooped a small cup into the water before bringing it to her lips, taking a drink of the cold, pure water. Then, just before she turned and went to practice, she retrieved a small vial from underneath her shirt. Dark purple liquid filled it to the brim. She glanced sideways to make sure nobody was around before dumping it into the bin. She walked back to the trainee she was working with,

"Wow, it's hot out here isn't it? Oh well, no use complaining. Let's begin," She said, smiling. He nodded hesitantly,

"A-are you sure, my Queen? I do not wish to hurt you," She chuckled,

"I wouldn't worry about that," She then put one hand back and the other, holding a rapier, out forward, in stance. He shrugged and did the same.

She had him on the ground in merely a few seconds. It would have taken less time if she hadn't had to fight in Zelda's style. She looked down at him before helping him up,

"Why don't you rest a minute? Go get a drink and sit for a minute, then we can try again. I'm sure you're just tired from being out here all day. You're doing good!" She encouraged fakely. He nodded, smiled at her, and walked away. She walked over to another man waiting to have a chance to fight,

"Do you want to try with me?" She asked. He nodded after a moment.

This one went down just slightly after the first had. A disappointing group of a soldiers. Was her work even necessary? Oh well.

There was a huge crash as the first man hit the ground, water in his hand going flying. She jumped as Zelda would have, looking shocked and worried. Link ran over to him, looking over. She followed,

"Oh my Goddesses..." Link said, his hand to the man's throat,

"What is it?" She asked, as if she didn't know,

"He's...dead," He muttered. She gasped,

"What?! How?" He looked up at her,

"I have no idea. You don't just drop dead. What in Hyrule happened to him?" The others were starting to freak out, not knowing what was going on,

"Don't worry everyone," She said, standing up, "It is perfectly ok. We are going to take a short break. Just sit, relax, hydrate, and we'll figure this out soon. Thank you for your patience," She said, smiling at them. They all nodded slowly before going over. She looked back over at Link,

"We can't have them know. They'll just lose it. How do we get him out of here without them noticing?" She asked him quietly, putting a hand on his shoulder,

"This was their friend, a fellow soldier. I'm not going to deny them a goodbye." He said, not meeting her eyes. Oh, right, they might have been a good thing to say instead. She needed to brush up her Zelda. Maybe visit her soon,

"Of course, I just don't want this to interrupt everything you've been trying so hard to build. Tell them, if you wish. You're a great king, Link. I hope you know that," She said, kissing his cheek and standing. He nodded.

Her eyes flashed over to where people were standing, drinking to refresh themselves. She could feel a flash of red burn through the blue she wore know. She blinked, forcing it back. She resisted a smirk as she watched, waiting. At least a third of them had consumed it now.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she heard them all start hitting the ground. The plan was in action.