Disclaimer:
I do not own Zelda (and if I did, I would be filthy rich). All characters, items, and places (save some) belong to Nintendo. Story idea is copyrighted to Michelle (which would be me).

Also, some Disney snippets are placed within the story as it progresses. That belongs to them, but can you figure which came from what?

Summary:
Zelda is offered a once in a lifetime chance to escape the walls of the palace. What will she do when a foul being is spreading evil deeds throughout the Kingdom in her absence?
(Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance)
(Story Rating is T for teenagers 13 and up)

A/N:
Hello everyone, thanks for taking time out of your busy lives to come and read my fanfic. Although I have written many fanfics in my time, I have never had the chance to post it. After many days of tireless effort and edits from my friendly editor (Serenitythefaierikin), I have come to the conclusion that this product is ready to be revealed to the audience here at I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

This story has been changed very much since I first posted it under "The Price for Freedom." I hope the admins and moderators don't mind-- for this is a changed story, just with that same first chapter... and this one, I intend to continue.

Where Dreams Lie
Prologue

It was a glorious age of harmony for the great kingdom of Hyrule. Under the reign of the respectable King and Queen, the people lived their lives peacefully and happiness bloomed in every corner of the kingdom. However, something had been missing in the lives of those who deserved it most. The King and Queen, though comforted by one another, were not as happy as they could have been. They wished for children, but years crept by without the birth of a single child. This was until one fateful day when the Goddesses smiled down on the couple, finally granting their wish.

The Queen had died giving birth to the only child the King would ever come to know and grow to love so much. Although the loss of the Queen was dreadful, her death was not in vain. The kingdom rejoiced for the precious infant had been born at long last! The King named his daughter the only name she would ever be suited for... after her mother, and her mother before that... a name that lived forever.

She was known as Princess Zelda from that day forth.

As a young child, Zelda never liked sitting still for long hours, listening to pointless dreary lectures. Rebelliously she would slink off to the gardens to play with the younger servant children. She would return only when she was called, often with dirt smeared and dress ragged. For this, she was given the title as the tomboy princess.

But sixteen years had certainly changed the tomboy to a young lady.

Zelda was wise, graceful and amiable like her mother-- energetic, strong-hearted and civil like her father. She was very beautiful as time had come to tell. Zelda was indeed the "perfect" Princess of Hyrule... and in her rule, the kingdom was to learn the true meaning of Happily Ever After. The King was sure of it.

Zelda, on the other hand, had not been so sure.

Everyone in the peaceful kingdom of Hyrule knew her name-- everyone spoke of her enticing charm, whispering as she passed by. On the outside, all anyone could ever see was the bright smile that made her entire existence seemingly wonderful. But on the inside, she wished for nothing more than a simple life.

As princess, she had to fulfill her duty in royal affairs. There was no time to spend for her own, even more so now that she was older. Most of her days were spent locked up in the castle to study, preparing her for the future to become her father's successor. She was the only one who could-- the only one who was legit and capable to take over the throne, as she was the only child.

But it was not a life of her choice. How could she ever rule over a land she knew nothing of first hand? She did not want to have a whole kingdom on her shoulders when she did not even want the burden of a Princess. As selfish as it may have seemed, Zelda only wanted to be released from everyone's stares and whispers.

She wished to know what a genuine smile was. She wanted to have an adventure, just like the books she read quite frequently. She wanted to break free from the walls of the palace-- to dance about to the mysterious music of the forbidden forest; to courageously climb the rocky cliffs of the high mountains; to relax in the crystalline waters of the wide lake. She dreamt of this for many nights, and it was what she dreamt of now.

Where Dreams Lie
Chapter One: The Princess

In the middle of a silent summer night, in the heart of vast evergreen fields lies an enchanted castle-- and inside the finest room of the tallest tower sleeps a young splendor. A rare sight was she; with long tresses of pure gold, soft snowy skin and mystifying sapphire eyes that mirror the deepest sea and are as blue as the clearest skies.

The princess lay in her overly large bed, her hair cascading about her pillows. A smile formed on her ruby lips for she had found escape within her dreams. Sadly, the dream would only last so long as the moon slowly died over the horizon and the brilliant rays of sunlight climbed up into the heavens.

"Zelda..." A woman knocked on the door twice and entered the room, "Princess Zelda, the suns first light has touched the sky. It is time for you to rise for the day." She pulled open the thick drapes, allowing the suns rays to peak into the room and fill the room with warmth of early day.

Zelda's eyes slowly fluttered open as the light bathed her, "Impa... is it morning already?" Zelda yawned while rubbing the sleep off her eyes, "I was having such a wonderful dream."

"Dreams are our refuge from reality, but in the end, they are but dreams. You musn't forget that." Impa responded, rummaging through Zelda’s clothes, "We always wake up the next morning, greeted by another beautiful Hylian day." Impa brought out a light green dress from the deep end of the closet, "Zelda, does green fit your mood today?"

"Green?" Zelda asked sleepily, brushing her hair in front of her dresser, "I think I'm feeling more blue."

"Well isn’t that just peachy?" Impa said with a smirk, tossing the green dress beside her, "You get dressed, and I’ll see you downstairs." Impa was about to exit the room when she paused at the doorway, "Oh and, Zelda? Don't be late..." Zelda opened her mouth to argue but the door clicked to signify her exit.

Zelda walked over to the dress and ran her fingers over the soft fabric. This was her life as a princess-- a life where everything was decided for her. One would think that it was a wonderful life, but it was far from it, in her opinion. What with all the restrictions and obligations. It was going to be another pain staking day with paperwork, annoying suitors, plans and many different forms of study. It was a dull lifestyle, really.

She closed her eyes. How she wished to be like the wind, breezing past the land, invisible from the eyes that watch her like a hawk. No murmurs or gossip about her. To be where she wanted to be, doing what she wanted to do. There would be no one to hold her down and control her.

The moment ended when her eyes opened only to face a mirror that cut into her sharply with reality. She was indeed a princess, but she saw the reflection of an ordinary girl, and that was all she cared to see. Others just happened to see something else. With a deep sigh, she dragged herself downstairs.

After quite a few minutes of venturing the many corridors, she reached the dining hall. In the center, underneath a great crystal chandelier, was a long rectangular table with many empty seats. At the end of the table, she found that the King’s seat was as empty as the rest.

In silence, she sat in her usual seat. As she did so, the maids rushed in to set the table. Zelda found herself peering out the windows that decorated the sides of the room. The servants took no note of her daze and continued to work around her. With a clap of hands, the maids exited the room. Zelda peeled her eyes from the windows to the doors and there she found Impa with her hands together.

The woman took a seat beside Zelda and sensed the lack of optimism, "Is everything all right?"

"Daddy." She started, playing with the napkin in her lap, "He is never here. I... knew that he wouldn’t be here, I understand. But he has never, in the last few years, had some time for his own daughter."

"Your father wishes to see you but he has much to do, for Hyrule's sake." Impa placed a hand on Zelda’s shoulder and smiled reassuringly.

Zelda nodded, repeating Impa, "For Hyrule's sake." Zelda let out a exasperated sigh which was soon replaced with an artificial smile. Was is always for 'Hyrule's sake?' She knew her father loved her, but sometimes it felt as if she did not exist as part of his life.

"Zelda, trust me, better things will come to you in the future." Impa comforted the young girl, "But in the present, we still have much to do!" Impa got up from her seat, "Eat up, you need your energy for today."

"I'm not very hungry." Zelda stared at the food given to her in distaste. The same rich taste everyday for sixteen years was all too much.

Impa nodded, "Alright. Then let's start with the first thing on our list. We have so much to do in so little time. We have to arrange your sixteenth birthday celebration in one week! Preparations must be made for the guests, the ball, and evening feast-- Hire help around the castle and such." Impa sighed in exhaustion. As if the palace was not busy enough. "First we need to go down to the marketplace and visit the tailor." Impa began, but Zelda was out of her seat and at the doorway by then. She was delighted to roam the marketplace, away from the castle.

"What are you waiting for?" Zelda said, pulling on a deep green cloak a maid handed her on cue. She took off her tiara hastily and stuffed it into the abyss of her pockets.

"Zelda, behave yourself. This isn't a vacation, strictly work." Impa stated, catching up with the excited girl.

"Don't worry so much, Impa." Zelda informed the gray haired Sheikah galloping beside her.

"How could I not? You barely pay any attention to me..." Impa explained, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"I do, Impa. Really! There's no need to worry!" She reassured, dragging Impa out of the castle by her heals, "I promise I won't do something foolish! Don't you trust me?"

Impa stopped in her tracks and watched Zelda go off, and shook her head. "The last time you asked me that," she said to herself, "we had a whole mess of cuccoos flying around."