Hey! This is my first fanfic so be nice . It takes place in Breath of The Wild, although I imagine Zelda and Impa from Ocarina of Time, so it has elements of both. It's so fluffy! So if that cramps your style then I won't be hurt if you leave now. Also I don't own any of the characters or The Legend of Zelda…but it would be cool if I did! Anyways enjoy my story!

Amethyst

1

Twilight was my favorite time of day. The mixture of sun and moonlight made the castle gardens beneath my balcony look magical. The flowers seemed to glow as day threatened to turn into night. I sighed in awe as I leaned against the railing and rested my head on my hand, taking in the view. This view was the one thing that I truly enjoyed about being the princess of Hyrule. Nearly every evening after a long day of pleasing arrogant nobles with forced smiles and false pleasantries, I could retreat to my balcony to give myself a moment of peace.

A knock on my door interrupted my reverie, causing me to jump. I turned around quickly to find Impa, my nursemaid enter my bedroom. She shouldn't have startled me since she always came to say goodnight, but I was more on edge than usual since my twentieth birthday was coming in a couple months. My father was hoping that I would marry at the age of eighteen, however none of the princes or noble suitors that I had met pleased me. According to my father, a princess's duty should come above all else and he tried to match me with princes and dukes that would best benefit Hyrule. I did not want to marry for land or wealth though; I wanted to marry for love. Bless my father as he has had more patience than I deserved to receive from the king, but after almost two years of giving me a chance to find love on my own, his patience has run out. He was going to choose for me if I did not before my birthday. And so with each passing day, I fear more for my future.

"Sorry for startling you, My Lady." Impa apologized.

""Tis not your fault Impa." I assured, "I lost track of the time and didn't realize that you would be coming so soon."

Impa's crimson eyes narrowed and she brought her strong arms to a cross. I knew that there was no fooling her; she's known me since I was born. She was the closest to a mother that I had since my own had passed shortly after having me.

"I can tell that the pressure of obligation and duty trouble you." Impa stated. She was clearly referring to my father's ultimatum to marry.

I sighed. There was no sense in lying to her.

"I just wish that I could have found love," I said with defeat, "but I guess it wasn't in the Goddesses' plan for me."

"Don't sound so beaten yet," she said, "I think it may be that you just haven't looked hard enough."

I swore I saw a twinkle in her eye as she said that. As if she knew something that I didn't know... But I dismissed that thought. My eyes were probably playing tricks on me in the now moonlit room.

"Come," she urged, "Let me help you out of your dress. You deserve to rest."

I nodded and went to her. I turned around so she could start untying the complicated bow and corset laces. I hated having to wear such formal attire all the time. Although the deep purple dress I wore today was stunning on me, it was most uncomfortable and excessive. My father insisted on me looking my best, as he always seemed to have a new suitor for me to meet.

"Impa-" I started.

"Yes?" she said as she helped me step into my nightdress.

"Do you think that I will find the man that I am meant to love?" I asked with sincerity.

Impa smiled warmly as she put my silk robe over my shoulders. "I believe that when you look hard for something, it ends up being right in front of you all along."

Before I could respond she bid me a goodnight and left with the grace and speed that only a Sheikah woman like herself could.

I stood still for a second in confusion. What did she mean by that? Did she really believe that I had feelings for one of the suitors? She knew me too well to fall for my fake smiles and empty flirtations. Unless she meant…

Suddenly a pebble flew into my room from my balcony door and landed a few inches from my feet. My thoughts were interrupted as I went to the balcony to see who threw the stone – although I had a pretty good idea.

I carefully peeked over the balcony and saw a man with messy blonde hair and fierce, but friendly blue eyes that I knew too well.

"Link!" I yelled in a hushed whisper. "You're going to get us both in trouble!"

Link was my one and only true friend in the castle – besides Impa. He came from a small village in the Faron Forest when we were both young; I was only of my thirteenth year. Being only two years older than me, we secretly became close friends since he was the only other person in the castle around my age. He came because his parents had passed and he dreamed of becoming a knight. All of the nobility doubted that a mere orphan, above all else, could rise to that rank. But he proved them wrong by beating elite knights in combat skirmishes only after a short time training. He was granted a position as a royal guard and after serving as a guard for a few years, my father finally granted him knighthood once he came to the age of eighteen. That was almost four years ago now, but I was glad that Link remained the humble and selfless person I had always known him to be, despite his new title – Sir Link.

I looked around the garden to make sure no one else was around. The coast looked clear for the moment. Link looked around as well and put a finger to his lips to alert me to stay quiet. He then began to climb the vines up to my balcony. I felt a slight panic since I was forbidden by my father to have anyone in my room after dark besides my handmaidens. If I was caught I would be punished for sure, and there was no telling what would become of Link. I went and locked my door to be sure no one would come in and I turned around to see Link already standing in my balcony doorway.

He had changed so much in the last few years. He was now nearly six inches taller than me and lost the innocent look that came with youth. However, his spiky blonde hair was still as unruly as ever and his eyes still revealed to me that he was still the same Link I had come to know. He wore a black, blue, and red tunic that signified his knighthood. Though it was an honor to wear the royal colors, I knew he preferred green. As he stood before me, I couldn't help but notice how muscular and lean he had gotten from the intense training that came with being a knight. Why was I noticing these things now?

"Sorry to come at such a late hour unannounced, Your Highness." He said while bowing his head and hiding behind his shaggy bangs.

"Link you know you don't have to be so formal when no one else is around." I said. I hated being addressed so formally by him. I didn't like to think that he was giving empty courtesies like the rest of the nobles who addressed me in such a way. He was my friend, not some arrogant noble.

He looked up at me and I realized that I was in my nightdress. Blushing, I pulled my robe closed and hugged myself to cover the short, thin white dress that was underneath.

"Sorry, ..Zelda" He said with slight hesitation, "I figured it would make up for my intrusion."

He smirked at my attempt to cover myself more to make the meeting at least as proper as it could be at this point. I felt warmth in my chest as well as my cheeks. I inwardly wondered why he was making me react this way. It was just Link..

"Shouldn't you be resting and preparing for the Knight's Tourney tomorrow?" I inquired as I sat down with my arms still crossed on my elegant sofa.

My father had decided to hold a tourney for his knights every now and again to please the court and the people of Castle Town as well. Not only was it an exciting and enjoyable event, it was also a way to make sure he had the best and bravest knights in his service. The winner usually was promoted or rewarded handsomely.

"Yes," he said, "But I wanted to give you something first." He sat down next to me, but at a respectable distance.

My eyes widened slightly with surprise and I uncrossed my arms, forgetting what I was wearing. It couldn't be because of the tourney, as there was no custom to give gifts. My birthday was still a little more than two months away, so it was too early for a gift. He smiled slightly and lifted his head as if he was proud to have surprised and stumped me so.

"But why?" I asked, looking at him with questioning, "..There is no reason for you to."

"Does there need to be a reason?" He said smiling. I felt that same warmth stir within me as before. But before I could internally question my reaction, he turned away to grab something from his pocket.

He turned back to me to present a small wrapped parcel.

"I was in the market the other day and saw this. It reminded me of you.. and I just had to get it." He said as he handed the gift to me.

"Link you shouldn't hav–…" I started.

"Don't fight me Zelda. You will most surely lose." He gave me a smirk and I blushed slightly. "Go ahead, open it."

I pulled the ribbon and unwrapped the gift revealing a small necklace with a sliver sword pendant dangling on a small silver chain. It had a purple gemstone on the hilt of the sword that I recognized to be amethyst. It was my favorite color and I realized why he got it for me.

"Link!" I exclaimed in a hushed voice. I was truly surprised, but remembering that making too much noise would alert others of our forbidden meeting. As princess, I had received countless expensive things, and most would have cost more than this necklace would have, but Link did not have money to spare like the rich dukes and princes that had previously showered me with gifts. "This must have cost you a fortune."

Link shrugged and shook his head.

"Don't worry about that. It was meant for you." He said shyly.

"But why..." I said breathlessly.

"Because..." He said, suddenly seeming uncharacteristically nervous, "I wanted you to know that no matter what I will always protect you. As my princess and my.. friend, my sword is yours, Zelda."

The warmth came back again as he said my name after those words. I was without words and my breath escaped from my lungs so I could not have spoken even if I had words to give. This necklace was now worth more to me than any other I owned. It actually had a meaning other than bribery or flattery like my other gifts.

Link then took the necklace from me and signaled for me to turn around so he could put it around my neck. I felt him scoot closer and he brought his arms around me and fastened the clasp. He let it go and I felt the little sword fall onto my chest. He then gently pulled my long blonde hair out from the necklace brushing my neck slightly with his warm hands. I felt my cheeks turn pink at his touch and I hesitated to turn around and reveal my blush to him. However I knew he was eager to see how it looked so I turned to face him.

He looked at the necklace and then into my indigo eyes smiling. I hoped he didn't notice the redness in my cheeks.

"It looks beautiful on you." He said with sincerity in his eyes.

I brought my hand to the pendant and gently touched it while looking into his intense blue eyes.

"I-I love it. Truly and deeply I thank you sincerely." I said, wishing I could better express my gratitude.

He then put his hands on the sides of my head and gently pulled me closer to him.

"I meant every word I said, Zelda." He assured, "I will always look out for you."

He shocked me as he placed a small kiss on my forehead. He smiled at me as he pulled away and left me sitting in a stunned, breathless silence. Standing up, he started walking to the balcony and I summoned my breath and voice back.

"Link…" I called to him.

Link turned around with a smirk as he reached the balcony doors.

"Yes?" he asked. Even though he was a silhouette from the moonlight, I saw the smirk and knew his eyes had a victorious glint in them.

"I wish you good luck tomorrow. I hope you triumph above all the other knights." I said with a certain princess-like voice.

"Thank you.. Your Highness," he said in a more formal tone, "I will not let you down."

With a smile he hopped over the balcony railing and was gone into the moonlit garden.

I sat where I was unmoving and touched the pendant on my chest still breathless, wondering if Impa's words earlier were just a coincidence.

I shook my head and gently stood up to shut the balcony doors. I turned around and let out a great sigh. Of the reason, I did not quite know.