Link ambled between the bonfires, their warm flickering light casting dancing shadows across the brightly colored pavilions and tents. Everywhere he looked people were smiling, laughing, and generally having a good time and well they should be considering the occasion. Verfete was the largest festival and celebration of the year, uniting all six of the northern villages in Ordona for two days of gaiety and revelry. This first day had seen the ribbon dance, he'd watched it with a vague interest but truth be told he wasn't really looking to settle down just yet. He'd spent most of the day competing in the equestrian events with Epona. She'd done well and he'd won three of the five events they'd run in. Link was feeling very pleased with himself this evening. He paused for a moment as he approached yet another bonfire; this one had gathered round it a musical troupe that was playing a lively tune for the assembled couples to dance to. He stood and watched them dance for a time, before long he found himself tapping along to the beating of the drums, the strumming of lutes and harps, and the playing of the pipes. His heart went out to the music as it enticed and entranced his soul. He scanned the small crowd gathered around the revelers sitting by the bonfire.

It seemed that every girl of his own age was spoken for with a companion. His gaze fell upon a singular figure on the far side of the fire. Setting himself he walked around the dancers and musicians until he had a better view of his intention. It was Fern; she was watching the dancers with a sad expression. Link felt his face finding sympathy with hers as he approached. His resolve built as he gazed upon her cheerless visage and he steeled himself for the endeavor ahead.

"That's a beautiful dress." he said gently, immediately feeling the fool for such an awkward opening.

She looked up at him quietly, the flicker of her features might have been a smile but it was a sorry excuse for one.

"Thank you Link."

A silence hung between them then and as it dragged on Link shifted uncomfortably before nodding to the empty log besides her.

"May I sit with you?"

She nodded, looking back to the dancers as he joined her. For a time he watched her in profile in silence, taking in her features. Hey brown hair reached down to the ground behind her, braided with flowers entwined within. Hey gray eyes sparkled in the reflected firelight as they followed the dancers before them both. Link found himself struck by Fern's features and wondered why she of all people here was alone. Even he'd had companions before he'd decided to explore more of the festival. Yet Fern sat alone until he'd joined her.

He turned his gaze towards the merriment. "It looks like fun doesn't it?"

Fern tensed for a moment but nodded wordlessly, her gaze dropping to the grass at their feet. Link hesitated for a moment, but only just a moment before he decided to press onwards. Whether she wanted company or not, he wasn't about to leave her here alone looking like that. No one should seem so downcast on Verfete.

"Can you dance?"

She glanced at him hesitantly, nodding again. "Yes."

Link's smiled spread softly across his face. "Have you?"

Fern caught her breath, looking away from him as she shook her head. It was then that the music stopped and the dancers clapped and cast their praise towards the musicians who stood and bowed with waves of their hands as thanks before they resumed their seats and prepared to strike up a new tune. Link looked to Fern; she seemed set to flee the scene. Her body tense as she looked away from him and all else towards the festival. Without so much as a by your leave he stood up and turned to face her, holding out his hands palm up to her.

"Will you dance with me?"

She looked up at him, her lips parted with 'no' hanging on her breath though unspoken. Link gave her an inviting smile.

"It would be a shame to waste the night…especially when you've gone to so much trouble."

He nodded at her dress. Fern looked down at it, sighing heavily as she gazed back up at him. "Link, I—" she shook her head. "—I don't feel like dancing."

Link knelt in front of her, putting a hand on hers gently, she tensed, her back stiffening. "We're the only two here not paired off. Don't you think that says something?"

"That I don't want to dance," she responded.

Her tone was growing irritated, which Link decided was better than morbid. His smile took on a teasing lilt as he continued.

"You don't have to be embarrassed you know. You look very beautiful."

Her eyes sparked as she met his gaze. "I am not embarrassed."

He shrugged, still smiling at her as he stood again. "Well then why don't you dance with me and prove it? Unless you're worried what people will think…." he trailed off with a knowing smile.

Fern's eyes blazed as she glowered up at him, just then the musicians started up a new piece, finally done with their arrangements. She took his hand and rose to her feet and without another word pulled him into the midst of the other couples. She turned to face him, placing her palms against his as the music struck up, glaring at him across the gulf between them. As the dance began their movements were stiff, Fern's expression remained hard and she hardly put herself into the music. Link did what he could to compensate on his end and he couldn't deny that he didn't enjoy the victory of dragging her up to dance like this. He just hoped she stopped glaring at him long enough to enjoy herself. That was after all the whole reason he'd provoked her after all. The music continued and they moved with their fellow dancers in the stepping movements that the motions called for. The other couples formed a tunnel, Link and Fern found themselves at the head of the hylian formation, their hands raised above their heads. Link looked across at Fern, she wasn't paying attention to him, she was watching as the couples ducked through the tunnel, slowly dissolving and reforming the form.

By the time it was their turn he swore that she was all but smiling though it did not extend to her lips, only her eyes were sparked with excitement. They ducked through the raised arms of their fellow dancers, pressing close together, their hands still clasped. They came out the other end and the dancers dispersed once more into pairs though this time the men held the women around the waist as faced towards the fire and waltzed around its perimeter. Link looked down at Fern, spying the hint of her smile in the twist of her mouth. He was going to make sure that smile came to fruition before the evening was through if it killed him. They turned to face each other, placing their hands high and circling each other with an arm tucked behind their backs. The music and Link shifted his hands, placing them on Fern's sides as he lifted her up and spun her around. The change that overtook her face was well worth any troubles. The last vestiges of the gloom and anger that had been cast upon her face faded away as her lips spread in a smile, her eyes were alight with mirth as she let out a laugh, her hands on his shoulders as he held her high, his own smile greeting hers warmly.

Their smiles remained in place as he brought her back down to earth; they linked hands with the other dancers and formed a ring around the blazing fire. Fern's fingers interlaced with his and she held tight as they danced their parts in the ring. Link felt his heart rush at her touch and he returned her grip with equal fervor. As the ring broke he raised their hands, guiding her in a spin which drew forth another laugh and drew her up against him. She smiled up at him, her eyes a-flash with equal portions of fire and pleasure.

"I'm not embarrassed." she said with a smirk.

He smiled at her warmly. "I can tell. You're even lovelier when you smile."

Fern's cheeks heated but she didn't protest as they circled each other, their hands pressed palm to palm as the song finished. Along with the other dancers they turned towards the players and applauded and once more the musicians took their stand and showed a leg and a hand in thanks for the praise they received. As the applause died away and the musicians set themselves to retuning their instruments Fern reached for Link's hand, taking it and entwining her fingers as she leaned against his shoulder. He looked down at her, clasping her hand tenderly, Fern truly was beautiful, especially when she was happy.

The music began to pick up again and Link tugged at her hand, his eyes alight. "Shall we dance?"

Fern looked up at him with a mirthful smile. "If you're not too embarrassed."

"I'm not embarrassed." he returned as they faced each other and exchanged a curtsy and bow before they began anew as the band struck up another tune.

There were three more dances that they shared that evening before they finally stopped to catch their breath. They chose a quiet spot removed from the light and sound of the festival to watch the fireworks that were the closing ceremony for the night until the festivities began anew the following morning. With a candied apple between them, they leaned against one another and watched as the light display blasted off in the night sky against the stars.

"Link," Fern murmured, her hand resting in his as she leaned on his shoulder.

He looked down at her. "Yes?"

With a deep breath she closed her eyes and turned against him, pressing herself into his chest. He discarded their apple and put an arm around her shoulders, holding her close, as he leant his forehead against her head.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He smiled softly. "You're welcome."

There was a long silence then, punctuated by the pop and bang of fireworks. Then Link stood, and turned to face her, holding his palms out to her with a tender smile.

"Shall we dance?"

Her eyes sparkled tearfully and with a radiant smile accompanied by a nod, she took his hands and they began to dance to the staccato tune of the fireworks, their footsteps lighted by the brilliant flashes of light each blast brought to the world.

AN: Fern is not my character, she belongs to another writer who gave me permission to play with her.