"So, what am I supposed to do again?" Link asked, toying with the hem of his tunic.

"Just make friendly conversation with anyone you can, and try to be polite," Zelda answered from by the mirror where she was braiding her hair.

Link yelped in shock when Impa slapped him across the back of his hand.

"Stop that," she scolded. "You'll wrinkle your clothes." Link immediately stopped. "Now don't slouch, and for Din's sake, brush your hair!" Link was quick to do as he was told.

"Looking regal is hard enough," Link muttered, raking a comb through his hair. "I hate to think about what being king will be like."

"Don't worry about it," Zelda replied. "I'll help you figure it out. It's really nothing more than solving other peoples' problems."

Link looked in the mirror and frowned. As soon as Impa left the room, he messed his hair up.

"It looks more like me," he explained when Zelda cast him a disapproving glance in the mirror. "Zelda? Do I have to dance with people?"

"I will not force you to, but it would be good for your image if you did."

"Alright…but if someone with two left feet…"

Zelda giggled. "I'll save you! Don't worry…you'll do just fine."

"You ready?"

"As I'll ever be. Wait a minute, you forgot something."

"What…oh, right."

Link quickly placed his crown on his head. Zelda looked at him for a second, then straightened it.

"Darn it, I never get it straight."

"You'll figure it out sometime." Zelda stepped back and gazed at him. Link was wearing a dark blue tunic with silver trim, the only pair of tights he had that were not covered in horse hair, and immaculately shined black riding boots. Simple, yet Link looked like the prince he was. Zelda still had not grown accustomed to the plain silver crown hiding in his blond hair. It was so…different to see Link like that.

"You look handsome, to say the least."

"You don't look so bad yourself."

Zelda was wearing a light blue dress similar to the one she had battled Ganondorf in.

"But it's so…plain…"

"You look beautiful nonetheless," Link kissed her cheek. "You always do."

Zelda smiled at him. "You're just being nice so I will kiss you back."

"Can you blame me?" Link shrugged innocently.

"Later, I promise."

"Well…shall we go?"

Zelda nodded and followed him to the ballroom.

Being the humble person he was, Link had insisted on not having a grand entrance, so Zelda casually followed him onto the floor. Link looked around in awe at the gigantic room. The crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling, the music, the crowd…it was enough to impress him.

"Still haven't gotten over it?" Zelda asked a few minutes later.

"Nope."

Zelda laughed, until she felt Link tense up.

"What's wrong?"

"Trouble at 12 o clock…" Link turned pale.

"HI LINK!" Ruto cheerily flounced up to him. Zelda couldn't help but feel jealous. Stupid Ruto…trying to steal MY man…

"Hello, Ruto," Link practically moaned, and Zelda began to feel sorry for him.

"Care to dance, cutie?" Ruto asked.

"Umm…sure." Ruto literally dragged him away. He looked back at Zelda and gave her an expression like that of a dog being dragged to a bath.

Zelda heard Malon giggle behind her.

"Poor guy! You'd think he was being led to slaughter!"

No sooner had Malon spoken that sentence than Link and Ruto went twirling by, Link with an expression that screamed, "HELLLLLPPPPP!"

"Someone should go save him…you want me to, Zelda?"

"Be my guest."

Malon went racing after Link and Ruto. Soon, Malon returned with Link, who looked extremely relieved.

"May I cut in?" Zelda asked.

Malon stepped aside and let them dance. Link gently laid his hand on Zelda's waist, and Zelda rested her hand on Link's shoulder. She placed her hand in his, and followed him around the room.

"You're a good dancer for someone who only learned a few weeks ago," Zelda said, wishing the night would never end. Link held her closer to him, never once losing step.

"I had a good teacher," he responded.

Zelda smiled. "I'm not as great as you think I am."

"But you're good enough for me." Link looked down and smiled mischievously. Zelda gave him a questioning look when he looked back up at her.

"What are you up to?" Zelda couldn't help but wonder.

Link laughed like a child about to jump on the bed in the master bedroom, and playfully stepped on her foot.

"Hey!" Zelda laughed. "You'd better watch it…I'm wearing heels!"

"Oh, Din! I'm sorry…I take it back!" The undertone of sarcasm in his voice hinted to Zelda he knew she was kidding. Link's voice took on a different tone…much more grown up. "Maybe I should kiss you to make it better…"

Link leaned in to kiss her, but Zelda turned away.

"What?"

"Not here…not now, in front of all these people!"

"No one is watching, and we are married."

Zelda sighed. The offer was tempting…

"Very well then…follow me."

Zelda led Link unto the balcony overlooking the castle courtyard. There was a slight breeze, and it was brisk. A symphony of crickets provided music, and the moon cast a silvery, shadowy light on them. Zelda heard a wolf howl in the distance, and Link howled back.

"What was that for?"

"I don't know…I used to do it as a kid. An old habit, I guess."

Link gently lifted Zelda's hand off his shoulder and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's so…peaceful out here," Zelda commented, the wind playing with her hair.

"Yeah…it's nice, though…" Link inhaled deeply, suddenly not caring if anyone caught them.

There was a strong gust of wind, and Zelda quickly hugged Link tighter to her. It surprised him, because he nearly jumped back a foot in shock. After he realized it was her, he smiled and held her closer.

"It's cold out here, isn't it?" She asked.

"Uh huh…" Link paused. "This is enough to keep me warm, though."

"Me too."

A minute passed without them speaking, then Link loosened his hold on Zelda. Before she had enough time to ask why, Link kissed her passionately. Zelda could feel herself suddenly forgetting about the cold, the wind, the ball, and the stars twinkling overhead. All that existed for that brief moment in time was her and Link. Then, all at once, reality came crashing back and she felt herself longing for more when Link suddenly broke off the kiss. She was about to ask why he had done so when she saw Saria standing at the door, eyes as large as grapefruits.

"Sorry about that," Link laughed nervously. Of all the times…dang, she must have gotten quite an eyeful!

"Is this a bad time?" she asked.

"No, no, not at all," Link answered.

"Liar," Zelda said under her breath. She silently thanked Nayru that Link was still holding her tightly.

"What is it, Saria?" Link asked. Saria noticed he sounded impatient…obviously, he wanted to get back to what he had been doing.

"There is someone here from another country... he claims he is your father."

"What?" Link was in total disbelief. "There's definitely something going on here…" Link let go of Zelda and raced back inside at Saria's heels.

"This always happens…" Zelda muttered to herself, lagging behind.

Link quickly noticed the whole room was silent. There was an eerie chill in the sir, but Link dismissed it. A large clearing had formed in the middle of the ballroom and Link saw a solitary figure standing in the middle of the floor. Cautiously, Link approached the man.

"Hello?" Link asked. The man was taller than he was, but looked like he could have been Link's older brother. "Who are you?"

The man gave Link a look of surprise. "I am your father…I have heard of your success in this kingdom from the soldiers traveling to Galatia, and I was surprised to learn you were still alive…I though you died in the war…"

"I thought you did too…" Link sounded slightly apprehensive. This man's voice felt like ice to his ears. Ow…Link suddenly felt as if his hand had spontaneously combusted. He glanced down at it, and the triforce mark on his hand was glowing as brightly as the sun on a cloudless day. What's going on? Wait…the top triangle glowed the brightest. I thought so…Link immediately jumped back and snatched his sword from behind a curtain. Thank Farore I was too lazy to take this thing back to the armory…

"Get…out…" Link growled, drawing his sword and placing the tip at his "father's" throat. The air felt colder than it did a short while ago.

"Wait, wait…" the man laughed nervously, trying to move the blade away. "Is that any way to treat the one who gave you life?" The man smiled weakly and looked Link square in the face.

Link looked into the man's eyes. He felt like he was living out a nightmare…the man's eyes seemed to burn with fire from hell. Link immediately recognized that gaze…only one person in the world had that gaze…

"You're not my father!" Link shouted, ramming the man in the chest with the handle of his sword. There was a swirling purple light, then the man grew even taller, his hair and skin darkened, and his voice deepened. Ganondorf chuckled as he stood before Link, who looked not at all surprised.

"Clever boy," Ganondorf smiled in that creepy way he did and before Link could react, he seized him by the throat and held him in the air. "Unfortunately, you are not clever enough to prevent me from taking the triforce." Link felt himself choking, but he was still able to think. He quickly drew his sword and pretended to swing at Ganondorf's arm. The Gerudo king flinched and in doing so loosened his grip on Link. Link quickly pried Ganondorf's hand from around his throat and fell to the floor with a muffled thud. Not about to be taken advantage of, Link hurriedly jumped back to his feet and backed out of Ganondorf's reach. Ganondorf chuckled again.

"Very well…you will not give in as easily…a bribe, perhaps."

Faster than Link could react, Ganondorf took hold of Zelda and pulled her into his arms. Link felt like killing the Gerudo right then and there for even touching Zelda, but he knew Ganondorf was only trying to twist him into doing what he wanted, so Link stayed put, fiercely glaring at the evil king. Zelda struggled to get away, but a look from Link was enough to still her.

"You have a good taste in women, boy," Ganondorf loved making Link squirm. "Of course, you would be willing to share your finds with an old friend…"

Link felt a stronger urge to move. Oh, goddesses, what is he planning? His hand tightened around the handle of his sword. "Let her go, Ganondorf…do whatever you will to me, but don't touch her." Link put emphasis on the last three words.

"I can, and I will…who are you to stop me?" Ganondorf turned to Zelda. "How about a kiss, sweetheart?"

The last word made Zelda cringe. When Link said it, it was a term of endearment. When Ganondorf said it…Zelda never wanted to hear it again.

"I'd never be disloyal to the one I love." Zelda looked like she was about to spit in Ganondorf's face.

Link knew he would soon have to ask someone to hold him back…that comment gave him another reason to fight…for love.

Ganondorf smiled evilly. "That wasn't a question, my dear. It was a command."

Before Zelda had enough time to think, Ganondorf turned her face to him and kissed her…it was enough to drive Link up the wall. That, and Link noticed his hands were wandering. RAPIST! Link felt like screaming. That's IT! Link attacked Ganondorf, careful not to hurt Zelda. Link found a weak spot in the armor on his arm and pressed down with the blade until he felt bone. Ganondorf yelped in pain, dropped Zelda and scurried away.

"This is not the last time you will see me, Link! I will be back!"

He jumped out the window and galloped away on his black stallion. The people who attended the ball started to move around once they realized the danger was over for the time being, but Link immediately ran over to Zelda, still afraid. He knew as well as any caring person would what damage had been done.

"Zelda!" Link kneeled next to her and helped her up into his arms. "Are you okay?"

"I…I think so…" Zelda was trembling. Link held her tighter.

"Oh, Din…Zelda, I'm so sorry I didn't do anything earlier…"

"Link, don't worry about it…I know you were going to wait to see if he would actually do it…"

Link could see tears welling up in her eyes...and could feel a tear roll down his cheek. Zelda almost laughed.

"This happened to me and you're crying?"

Link smiled.

"So are you."

"No I'm not!" Link gave her a questioning look. "Okay, maybe I am. But who cares?"

"I do."

Link suddenly felt as though everyone in the room was staring at them, and it was starting to humiliate him. Before anyone could see, he rubbed the tears out of his eyes and helped Zelda off the ground.

"You think your father would let us leave a bit early?"

"He might…you in a hurry to be somewhere?" Zelda playfully punched him in the shoulder.

"No," Link pretended to rub a sore spot. "I just think I've had enough for one day. I believe you have too."

"Really?" Zelda sounded a bit depressed. Link noticed his childishness was rubbing off on her. "Too bad…I guess you're right, though."

"Then follow me."

Before anyone could notice, Link and Zelda left the ballroom.