ZeLink - Spirit Tracks Sequel

Chapter 4 - The Boat Ride

Link's POV

"Come on! Hurry up, Link!" Zelda shouted as she ran ahead of me. We were racing eachother through Castle Town to get to the station. "Alright, alright! I'm coming!" I shouted, running faster by the second. Zelda was fast for a girl wearing heels, way faster than expected.

Although she was fast, I was faster. I sprinted up to Zelda, rolling a few times. She looked at me like I was crazy. Not just anyone can roll while they run. I grinned at Zelda's shocked expression and ran to the station. I touched the train, making me the winner.

Zelda ran up to me a few minutes later, out of breath. "H-how did you do that?!" Zelda asked. I smirked, "I guess I just learnt after running so much in Aboda." I explained. Zelda looked at me weirdly, obviously not understanding my explanation. "Well, okay." Zelda said, weirded out.

Zelda ran up to the driver's part of the train. "Where are you going?" I asked, confused. Zelda standed by the controls. "I'm riding up front with you, aren't I?" Zelda asked shyly. I sighed, "Zelda, you aren't a spirit anymore. It's too dangerous to ride up front, you could fall." I explained. Zelda looked away.

"I guess so. I'll hold on tight though. Pleeeeaassee, Link?" Zelda asked with a cute, sad dog face. I stared at her cute face, "Zel, I don't want you hurt. You know I care too much about you." I said, blushing. Zelda blushed too. "Thanks, Link. I care a lot about you too. Guess you're right, I'll go in the passenger cart." She said, slightly sad.

She ran up to the cart and I ran ahead of her and opened the door. I wanted to be like a gentleman to Zelda. She giggled, "Link, just because I'm a princess it doesn't mean you have to be a gentleman." Zelda said.

"Oh well. I'll still treat you like royalty, though." I said with a wink. Zelda giggled louder this time. She stepped in then I closed the door behind her. I walked up to the controls, blew the whistle and started the train.

The wind pounded at my face as I drove the train. My hair flew in the air, bringing back the memories of my adventure - our adventure. Zelda and I had so many memories together, both good and bad. Our duet was what really stood out for me, Zelda's beautiful voice, the tune of the Lokomos and the amazing Spirit Pipes. All together, it created an outstanding piece of music that no living thing could forget.

I snapped out of my flashbacks and saw Zelda's head popping out of the train window. I stared, red faced, at her hair beautifully flying in the wind. Zelda smiled as she realised that I was looking at her. I blushed and carried on driving.

I hope today goes well. I need to tell Zelda how I feel. What if she felt the same? Would we be together? She's a princess and I'm an average boy raised in an average village. Why on Earth would Zelda want to be with me? I sighed, it was true. Zelda is a princess, princess of Hyrule. And me - I'm a commoner. I just hope she feels the same.

I drove the train over the bridge leading to the Ocean Realm. After a short while, we arrived at Papuchia Village. I hopped off the train and helped Zelda out of the train. "Link, you know when we came here for the first time and I said that we should go swimming?" Zelda started. "Yeah." I replied. "Well, not today, next time we should go swimming. It would be fun!" Zelda said with a smile. I smiled back, "Yeah! That'd be great." I said.

We walked down the pathway. "Where are we going to find a boat?" Zelda asked. I thought for a moment then pointed at a sign that said 'Boats for Hire'. We walked over there. "Ah, hello. What can I do for you?" Asked the boat salesman. "We would like to hire a boat for a few hours please." Zelda said.

"Oh, Princess Zelda! Excuse me for my manners. Yes, your majesty, one boat to hire. On the house for you, my lady." The man said in his most polite voice. Me and Zelda giggled a bit at the man's foolishness.

We walked down the dock and saw the beautiful sea before us. "Great day for a boat ride. Will this boat do?" The Man asked while pointing at a small boat. The boat was around the size of a rowing boat, small but perfect for two. "That will do. Thank you." I thanked.

I was glad that we didn't have to pay. I had to save up rupees for when Niko wants me to pay him back for all the pots I smashed in the village. I hopped into the boat and took Zelda's hand and helped her in the boat. "Thanks, Link. But you don't have to be such a gentleman, you know." Zelda said. "It's fine. I would do anything for you." I said honestly. Zelda blushed as I started rowing the boat.

Zelda reached her hand out and touched the rippling water. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" I said. Zelda smiled, "Yeah, amazing day. As a princess, I rarely get to enjoy the sun. I'm trapped inside a castle, forced to learn how to be a queen." she said, looking very sad. I grabbed Zelda's hand and held it tight. "Zel, I'm sorry. I-I never knew it was like that for you." I said, blushing slightly.

"Link, don't be sorry. It isn't your fault that I was born a princess. People think being a princess gives you a pampered life, but they're wrong." Zelda explained while a tear fell down her cheek.

I reached out and caught the tear before it could fall. "I guess you have quite a hard life then." I said. Zelda frowned, "Yeah. If only I was born like you were, Link. We could've grown up together and I wouldn't of been a Princess." she said.

"It feels like I'm trapped in a prison. I very rarely get to go out and have fun, unlike you. Hopefully, when I'm queen, I'll make a law that princesses shall be treated like normal people." Zelda said, this time lots of tears falling down.

I grabbed Zelda's hand again and held it tightly. "Zel, from now on, I'll visit you very often and we could have days out like this all the time. If that's what you want." I suggested.

Suddenly, Zelda's face beamed up with happiness. "Link! You could move into the castle!" she said, almost shouting, "then we'd be together and be able to do this more often!". A sudden happiness emerged and, without thinking, I leaped at Zelda and gave her a big hug.

Zelda blushed furiously but hugged me back. "That would be amazing." I said, pulling back to look at her eyes. Zelda's face was still scarlet red. We both smiled and hugged again.

We talked and talked for what seemed like an eternity. After hours later, we finally realised that we should be off to go see the northern lights.

"Oh, Link, look at the time! We better get going!" Zelda stated. We both rowed the boat to the dock and headed on our way.

That's the end of this chapter. I wanted to say that my new cover for this fanfiction was made by my bestfriend so all credit to her. I hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned for the next chapter!