REVISED: No major changes, just added more detail…

AN: Heh. scratches head Yeah, a third Zelda fic from me…. It's not like I haven't finished the other ones……J Check those out too by the way! Hope you guys like this! It takes place way before OoT, but still in Hyrule with all our favorite races and places.

His name was Sheik. Not very creative. He was Sheik of the Sheikah; given his peoples' root name as a sign of his noble destiny. Noble destiny… He was tracking down a run away princess for Din's sake! Countless times she had escaped and countless times he had brought her back; either kicking and screaming or unconscious, always slung over his shoulder before and after they would mount his horse.

As a Sheikah, he was bound to the royal family of Hyrule, and because of his 'noble' destiny -whatever the hell that was going to be- he'd taken over as the princesses' guardian two years ago. The other two girls never ran away, but Nadia….

Nadia seemed to have taken up the position as the bane of his existence.

And right now, she didn't even have a clue that he had already found her. She had gone to the shipyards again, and was hiding in one of the storage sheds. It was debatable; Sheik mused as he watched her look furtively around, whether she was better off running or hiding from him. It really didn't matter; he would bring her back either way.

His footsteps were soundless as he ran catlike down the shed's support beams. Within a matter of seconds he was right above her, and just as she looked up, he had already dropped the twenty feet to land silently behind her.

But quick as flash she turned and caught him square in the face with a deku nut, followed by a sharp kick to the crotch. He was fairly protected there because of his armor, but she had enough power to make it hurt like hell anyway.

Nadia took the liberty of running away from him while he was too stunned and in pain to follow. Sheik liked Nadia the least of king's three daughters.

When the pain had lessened, Sheik went after her, more than a little annoyed. To his surprise though, he found her standing at the edge of dock, facing him. A light wind caused the water to ripple, and the moon had cast a white light on the darkness of the black waves. It was a strange sight for him to see. The night was peaceful, and against that backdrop the fiery princess seemed to not quite belong, yet belong all the same.

Her black hair was slightly messed, though in her usual braid, and her expression was strangely empty. "I guess it's futile, isn't it?" she said, and her eyes were dim with resignation.

"Yes," Sheik replied, walking slowly towards her. Would she actually come willingly this time? His steps were silent on the wooden boards of the dock, and even as he walked in his slow and easy gate it was obvious that at any second he could spring into action and put his perfected muscles to good use. But she did not take flight.

"Will you teach me to fight, and move like you do? Like a Sheikah?" Nadia asked, lifting her chin in a hopeful plea.

"Why, so you can have a better chance of escaping?" He stopped in front of her, and lifted an eyebrow. He towered over her in every respect.

Nadia scowled. "If you teach me, you have my word that I will not run away."

Sheik's answer was short and to the point "No."

"Why not?" she asked politely, hoping to gain some courtesy points.

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Do you take me for a fool?"

Her onyx eyes flared, sparkling with anger. "How dare you not take my word!"

"We're leaving now," Sheik said, ignoring her anger like he always did. She couldn't play the angry princess role very well. She came off as an angry peasant girl trying to be a princess…or something like that. "So either I take you back by force or you come along like an adult."

She glared at him but nodded. He whistled for his horse and it obediently came a few seconds later, stopping short at the dock. Sheik stepped to the side and made sure that Nadia walked in front of him.

She mounted first, and he second, placing his arms around her and grabbing the reins. If she were to sit behind him she would most likely try to jump off while the horse was still moving, and Sheik couldn't have that, so he always made her sit in front.

Nadia was quiet as they made their way back to the palace, something Sheik was thankful for. It wasn't really that he disliked the girl-he actually found her quite amusing-she just happened to be the one that gave him the most trouble.

The Princess Zelda barely needed his attention, and the youngest, Rose, looked up to him. He was a hero in her eyes. But Nadia…Nadia saw him as her prison guard. He'd gotten more bruises from her than his training as a Sheikah.

"Do you even care why I run away?" Nadia asked suddenly, shifting her position slightly, causing her body to brush against his even further. It didn't bother her, not really, because not a day went by where they didn't experience some sort of physical contact; like being slung over his shoulder or dragged by her wrist. And she was used to his presence, and might even go as far to say that she was comforted by it. But that didn't make up for the fact that he annoyed the hell out of her.

"No."

He could practically hear her glare, and her body stiffened in his arms. "I hate you."

"I don't care."

* * *

Rose was used to getting her way. She was the youngest, after all, so that was of course how things went. But this time, it wasn't working. That morning, as soon as they had awoken, her father had summoned his daughters to him, for her had something important to tell them. And he was now remaining firm on his decision, no matter what Rose said.

"But Daddy," she whined, "why do I have to go? The prince won't care about me, not while Zelda's there!" This was true enough. Rose was pretty, possessing beautiful red hair and dark blue eyes, but no one gave her a second glance whenever Zelda was in her company.

Princess Zelda was the one that caught everyone's eyes. Her hair was gold in color, and her eyes were a clear, crystal blue. She was exceedingly lovely, and adding to the fact that she possessed the Tri-Force of wisdom, she instantly became the center of attention. And the only reason anyone would look twice at Nadia was because of her sharp tongue and violent outbursts.

"I understand, daughter, but you haven't met the prince. Give him a chance. I think you underestimate your own beauty," the king replied smoothly.

Rose stuck out her lower lip and pouted. "Where's Nadia? Isn't she supposed to be going too?"

Her father sighed, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his throne. "I'm sure Sheik will be arriving soon."

Nadia never went anywhere against her will unless Sheik forced her too. On cue, a loud scuffling noise was heard outside the door then Nadia stumbled in, Sheik following closely behind. They didn't look the least bit tired for the previous night's escapade. They were too used to it.

"I see you've decided to wear proper attire, Nadia," the king remarked. Nadia glared at him and pulled uncomfortably at her blue dress.

"Honestly, if Sheik hadn't--," she stopped, looking suddenly thoughtful.

"I don't think I like the look of that," Sheik commented, eyeing her warily. He stepped past Nadia and bowed to the king and the other two princesses.

Rose was the first to notice his black eye. "Did Nadia do that to you?" she asked, glowering at her sister.

Sheik nodded, then glared at Nadia, and pulled her along with him to the throne, making her trip over her dress; she'd been trying to sneak out unnoticed.

"So what's going on?" Nadia asked, wrenching her arm away from Sheik. Rose began to sulk again, and their father sighed once more.

It was Zelda who answered, speaking for the first time. "We are going to Tevir to visit Prince Leon."

Nadia sent her father a suspicious look. "So what, you're marrying us off?"

The king coughed uneasily, and Sheik grunted in disgust. Nadia looked up at him in brief surprise before turning her attention to her father, angry.

"That's it, isn't it? So why don't you just send Zelda? He sure as hell won't care about me and Rose anyway, not if she's around," she spit out. She couldn't imagine herself marrying anyone by force, especially not a prince.

Zelda frowned at the outburst, and it might have been her imagination, but she thought her father looked a little green. He hadn't even scolded Nadia for her language like he usually did, which was odd in itself.

There was something he wasn't telling them. He was sending the she and her sisters away for a reason, not so Prince Leon could pick and choose his bride, but for some other purpose. But he wouldn't do anything to put them in danger, would he?

"May I ask when we are to depart, father?" she asked quietly, and both of her sisters sent her angry looks, which she ignored.

"Tomorrow morning."

* * *

"Cap'n Link! A letter! A letter for you sir!"

The captain's third mate, a man by the name of Mur, came running up to him, a letter in his hands.

Before opening it he ordered his men to lay off the frightened crew of Farore's Wind, Hyrule's fastest messenger ship. He watched, amused, as the men of Farore's Wind practically fell over themselves in the hurry to get away.

He looked down at the letter in his hands, and then to Mur, who was looking at him eagerly. It wasn't every day that a pirate received a letter from the king of Hyrule. Link pulled out his knife and cut the royal seal, then unfolded the letter. After reading it carefully, he grinned.

"Whut does it say?" Mur couldn't resist asking, though it was really none of his business.

Link smirked. "There be a weddin' in me future, Mur."

Mur still looked confused, but Link paid him no heed and walked up to the ship's helm. Instantly his crew became quiet. "We set sail for Hyule!" Link announced, and then added with a wink, "There'll soon be a woman on board, three, in truth. So let's 'ope the superstitions aren't true, aye?"

AN: I really 'ope you lot liked it! Please, no flames, constructive criticism only. It hurts my feelings….sobs It'll get better! I promise! Review!