The Many Dates of the Hero of Hyrule
Chapter 1: The Spirit of Love
And so his attempt to speak to her went in vain. It had been a year since the battle with Ganon and Link found this more difficult. He's faced dragons, giants, and the king of evil himself in a form of a monstrous warthog.
And yet he has no courage to speak to the princess of Hyrule.
"How'd it go, big brother?"
Once he returned home after his trip to Hyrule's capital, he came to his house in Hateno Village. He didn't even bother stopping to eat. Once he went through, he was greeted by his little sister. Aryll knew he liked the princess but was too much of a shy person to say anything. Even though they became good friends, he never had the guts to talk to her that way. Aryll pressured him and wanted him to invite her to dinner, this was supposed to be the news she'd hear.
"I couldn't…" Link said, sounding heartbroken.
Aryll became saddened.
"You got cold feet?"
"At first…" Link said. "By the time I got over it, I was told she wasn't able to stay for long. She's going out of country for an important meeting and won't be back until next month…"
Link made it to his bed upstairs, laying facedown and groaning in disappointment.
Aryll looked to her 18-year old big brother with sadness. The 14-year old sat at the bed, patting her green-clad brother on the head, on his green cap.
"It's okay… I'm sure she'll go out with you when she comes back."
"I doubt it…" Link said as he flipped right-side up. "She's 18 now, legal age for marriage. I seriously doubt I have a chance with her even if I saved Hyrule."
"But you're famous throughout the country!" Aryll said. "You are more than right for her!"
Link groaned. He did not feel like he would get another chance to talk to her.
He had a crush on the princess since first seeing her when he was 13. She had lovely blonde hair and eyes that caught his fancy. Since getting to know her upon realizing his destiny as Hyrule's hero, it gave him an excuse to get to know her. She was hesitant at first to get to know someone who was basically a stranger but warmed up to him when he showed a sense of humor and love for food that others found ridiculous.
It was going very well, and Link became a respected warrior and recurring ally for the Royal Family. The only downside for him was that he wasn't the only one attracted to the princess. Princes, swordsman and even mercenaries from Hyrule and beyond fought for a chance to earn her hand.
Link investigated many of these men and their backgrounds, finding them to have incredible skill and potential resources that would no doubt help Hyrule. Link felt he had no shot.
"I don't think that's enough, Aryll."
Aryll looked at her brother sympathetically, wanting only for him to be happy.
She got off the bed and walked to her bedroom.
"I'm sure it'll be alright, big brother." Aryll said, looking back before walking out.
Link just stared at the ceiling, unsure.
He remained that way, for longer than he expected.
He heard footsteps entering his room, he was too sad to notice they were somehow lighter than his little sister's.
"Aryll… I appreciate it but I just want to be alone."
"I am not Aryll."
The woman's voice caught his attention.
Link sat up, reaching for his sword. Once he looked, his jaw dropped.
This woman looked… beautiful.
She had long, red hair and a white robe with a hood. Her eyes were a lovely blue-green, just like Zelda's. She also, to his surprise, had white wings on her back.
Yet, whatever she was, Link could somehow sense she wasn't evil.
"Who are you?" He managed to ask.
"The Spirit of Love." She said matter-of-factly.
Link just stared at her.
"You say that like I should know who that is…"
She shrugged.
"I am known by many things on many worlds, this one has one of my favorites… Venus."
Link's eyebrow raised.
"Like the fairy queen?" He asked.
"She was named after me." She stated. "I am here to help you."
"Help with what?"
"Do you recall what I called myself? The Spirit of Love." She said.
"And… how would you help me?"
"To find your perfect match…" Link just stared blankly. "Perhaps your match is not in Hyrule… or this world." Link just kept silent. "Love is a power that transcends time and space, so I can reach out to find love for you throughout time and space. Think of me as a dating service. I will find you a potential match and it will be up to you to see if you are meant for each other."
Link finally did something. He pinched his cheek.
"What are you doing?" She asked, annoyed that he's not reacting as he should.
"Checking to see if I'm awake." He let go. "Yeah… I'm awake… and you're crazy."
"You are friends with a princess who is the reincarnation of a goddess and yet you find my offer hard to believe?" She asked.
"Maybe so… but I can't just… date another woman while Zelda is out of the country!" He said.
"How long will she be gone?"
Link remembered the exact amount of time. "30 days, at least a month."
"Then, I will help you meet one girl each day… it will be up to you to find a potential match. One month's worth of meeting a new girl each day and find potential. Perhaps you will find someone better for you?"
Link looked away, unsure.
"I don't know…"
"Tell you what." She said. "Go on one date tomorrow. If you're convinced it's a bad idea, then let me know. We'll stop."
Link looked to her, deciding to nod.
"Very well, I will need a sort of alias." She said as she took out a piece of paper with a feather pen.
"What?"
"To conceal your real name, it is a blind date, after all."
Link groans.
"Just use Hero in Green." He said.
"Very well…" Venus says. "Now, describe yourself to sell yourself to potential lovers."
Link rolled his eyes.
"18 years of age, male, 5'5'', 150 lbs., home in Hyrule." Venus gave him a look to resume. He groaned. "Athletic build, dirty blonde with blue eyes. Nice guy who cares for people and doesn't hesitate to help. Likes eating, practicing swordplay, traveling and sleeping in."
"And your ideal lover?"
"Someone who… cares for people, dislikes unnecessary violence, will show my little sister kindness and won't be upset with my line of work."
Venus nodded. She finished writing that all down.
"Very well, I will reach out to you soon." She turns around. "Ta-ta."
In a flash, she disappeared.
Link just blinked at the spot she was, unsure of all this.
"That was… weird." He said.
Suddenly, out of nowhere a scroll fell on his head and landed in his lap.
He stared at it for a bit.
He picked it up and looked at it.
He noticed writing underneath the seal. "Do not open until tomorrow night." He read out loud.
He shrugged.
This is… weird. Still, I did agree to go on one date.
He took a breath and decided to get something to eat before bed.
Next time: The Sapphire of Time
Based on Flower Princess 11's "The Many Dates of Danny Fenton", which you should totally read, and my spin-off if Danny and Kim became a couple.
I asked her for a name for the Spirit of Love. She suggested Cupid or Aphrodite. I googled Aphrodite and found her Roman counterpart, Venus. Venus is a character in Zelda and so, in a way, she helped me name the character.
Like how her story was about Danny meeting girls from different cartoons, this will have Link meet girls from different video games. You are free to suggest girls. (Must be human/human-like so no anthropomorphic characters like Amy Rose) I had like the first 5 decided. And like her story, it will be 30 dates. No more or less.
Take care.