A/N: Hey, guys! My frequent readers have probably figured out by now – I'm not a Zelinker. I think that if Ilia can't have him, nobod can. But, I promised a friend of mine that I'd write this. So this story is dedicated to Legend Of Zelda 4 Life.
I'm sorry that the first chapter will be a bit angsty, but the rest will be lighter. I promise.
Zelda's POV
The courtyard and garden grass around me was still and silent behind the shield of enclosed walls. It stopped ubrutly where the cold, stone fountain rose from the ground. It's water was lifeless, going in one direction and lighted by torches placed under glass panels in the ground. The air was still and the rees never moved.
This was my high-society high wall closed in around me. Chocking me. Strangling me.
The one light in my life was the one man who loved me for who I am, not because I'm a princess. He wasn't a prince, looking for a queen or a duke looking to marry higher up on the scale. He was a goat herd. Born in a thing known as a hut here, ut there it was known as a good size house. He was raised in the streams, fields, sun and open air.
Don't get me wrog. He wasn't any sort of a simple man. No, no, no. He could be with the best of them. As a legendary hero, everyone under the sun worshiped him. If he told them to, they would bow at his feet. But he didn't. If he wanted it, he could have a whole wing of the castle for his private aparments. No, two! And then a third would be built for him. And let's not even get started on the influence he had when it came to politics. Though he couldn't read until he was twenty, when his good friend Shad agreed to teach him, he sure had a head for politics.
His bright, free eyes and smile were the closest thing I ever got to true sunlight. It was if he captured it when he was out, and then brought it in just for me.
Link's POV
I wandered through the tapestried halls of Hyrule Castle, though not really paying attention. My footsteps echoed through one empty, cheerless garden after another. The stale sunlight filtered through the carefully crafted stained glass windows and open doors. Those open doors, though, only led to more enclosed courtyards. I didn't mind the place so much since I got out everyday and only came here to visit and delegate, but I did't know how in the world anyone could stand living here.
I knew perfectly well where my love would be. We met everynight, every morning. Sometimes during the day. She knew when I couldn't attend; she knew when I needed to work with the statesmen. I didn't like those nights, though. I never got to see my one true love until the next morning.
Zelda's favorite garden was a small one. I was never shown to the buisness men and nobels who came to delegate because it was less grand then some. I was only shown it by Zelda, and allowed in it because I was allowed just about everything here. I don't think that the people here quite understood, though, why I would prefer to spend my time in a small courtyard instead of in special apartments they would prepare for me. They promised whole wings and several sleeping chambers, several wash rooms and hundreds of servants all to myself. But they didn't understand. They didn't understand why I didn't want them.
The dukes of this land had never spent true time in the country, where there was fresh air. They had never even entered a market square, let alone the fields beyond. While they may choose their chocolates and grand cakes with gourmet fruits and nuts carefully, they never had the milk-washed honeycomb that my grandmother used to make me. While they were raised in nurseries with new nurses and nannies every week, they were deprived of the warmth of a mothers arms; the pride when your father congradulated you on whatever he taught you as a young boy.
In a way, I actually felt bad for them.
I entered the timy courtyard. It was covered in climbing roses and stone statues, and benches around the fountain in the middle. Around that,were short flowered hedges. Though that was beautiful, the real light came from the small, pale woman on the other side. Her long white gown flowed beautifully around her, falling onto the floor and tied with a light blue sash. Blond hair was intricately braided back out of her face, and the necklace around her neck was pure gold and adourned with the brightest of blue saphires. I didn't care fore any of it. What I saw was her delicate face and bright blue eyes, the golden tone of her hair. Her smile; her laugh.
I crept up behind her and placed the purple and white flower in her hair. There were no wild flowers here, but I knew she loved them. Silently I sat down beside her and laced my arm around her shoulder. In silence, we watched the sun sink over the stone wall, which was the ony place we could see it from the castle.
When it was dark and she stil had said nothing, wory began to claw at my stomach. "Zelda?"
"Hmm?"
What's wrong, my love? You're so quiet tonight." She was silent for a while and I thought that she would never answer.
"I was just thinking." She paused. "I want to ask you something."
"What is it like out there?"
"Out where?"
"Outside the castle." She sttod up. "I've seldom gone there, and even then I was inside my carriage, inside the city walls.I've never seen a running river or felt living wind." She took a few steps and pressed her hand to the stone wall, letting her head drop onto it. "I wish I'd grown up in a small village like you. I wish I'd known my mother's love and father's protection. Not just the guards he sends to protect me." Then she turned and looked at me, a tear I her eyes. I stood to run to her. To wipe it away. "I wish for things I cannot have."
There was the atter of small feet in fancy shoes. Quickly I wiped the tear and pulled her close to me, and she embraced me as well. "My lord!" I young page cried, bowing. "There are nobels here to speak to you!" I had work to do now, but I had a plan for later.
A/N: I know. I'm sorry it was so angsty. But son't worry. The rest of it, starting with 'the plan' will be much, much brighter. Thanks for reading!
