Author's Note: My first attempt at LoZ! I have a few other ideas in my head, but for some reason this was easiest to start with.
Disclaimer: Not mine, unfortunately.
Father Knows Best
The sun had set hours ago, signaling the end to the day's business. The king stood at his window, staring out into the night, when he heard a soft knock at his door.
"Enter."
The door swung open, admitting the castle steward. "I beg your pardon, Your Highness. I know it is late…."
The king turned from the window and glared at him. "Out with it, man."
"Your Highness, the guards noticed a young boy sneaking around the castle grounds. He seemed to be leaving the royal wing, but he disappeared before the guards could apprehend him."
A smile threatened at the corners of the king's mouth, and he turned back to the window to hide it. He could just make out the small figure he had been watching earlier, now climbing down from the castle wall and into the town beyond.
He could hear the rustle of cloth as the man behind him fidgeted. The king schooled his features, and then turned back to face him.
"Yes, I know about our visitor," he replied calmly. "This not the first time he's been here, and I am sure that it will not be the last."
The steward's eyes bulged, and for a moment the king thought they might pop out of his head. "You-you know of this, Your Highness?" he managed to sputter.
The king nodded. "Of course. What kind of a monarch doesn't know of the comings and goings to his own castle? And what kind of father doesn't know when a boy is sneaking in to see his daughter?"
A moment passed as the steward regained his composure, and then he asked, "do you wish to have the boy arrested, Your Highness? I can increase the guard near the Princess's room. I assure you he will not bother her again-"
"No," interrupted the king, "leave them be, for now."
The expressions crossing the man's face made the king want to smile again, but he managed to keep his lips in check. Instead, he began to explain.
"Relax, Andrew. The boy means no harm towards my Zelda. He is the same lad that warned us of Ganandorf's treacherous plot. Lady Impa has advised me that his tale is to be believed, and I trust her judgment implicitly. Besides," he began, "if he were to try anything, I am sure that Lady Impa would set him straight. If she ever catches him, he'll wish the guards had gotten him first!"
This time the smile did break through, and it seemed to relax the worried steward. "Of course, Your Highness. But, if I may, do you not think it is highly improper for a common boy to be sneaking into the Princess's rooms at night?"
"Of course it is," was the king's response. "But that is why I am allowing it. Zelda needs a friend her own age, and it's good for her to learn how to bend the rules and have a little fun. I love my daughter, but she is too serious all of the time.
"Now, if that is all, Andrew, you are dismissed for the evening. And please tell no one of this conversation."
Andrew took his cue and bowed deeply before exiting the room. The king turned back toward his window and stared where he had last seen the green cap and tunic. He smiled again, and then began to prepare for bed. Yes, the boy was common. But he was also brave, and the king could tell that he adored Zelda. And it did not take a scholar to see how Zelda felt about him as well.
I should have Impa work with the boy, he thought as he crawled into bed. She'll turn him into a proper knight, worthy of my little girl.
As he pulled the covers close, he cast a glance to the empty half of his gigantic bed. He knew what real love felt like, and he would make sure that his daughter had the chance to know as well.