The sky above Hyrule Castle was lit with bright ruby and gold light as the sun sank into the western horizon. The sunset's brilliant glow was ignored by many inside the large castle except one. Princess Zelda stood by the window, watching the sun set beyond the Gerudo Valley and the lands beyond the desert with the sense of contentment.
"Princess, you need to get ready," A female voice called. Zelda turned and regarded the woman who had called out to her. Her bodyguard and her former nurse Impa glared back, her towering figure making the nervous handmaiden beside her look diminutive and child-like.
"Yes, I know," Zelda replied with a sigh as she walked away from the window. The handmaiden walked away from Impa's side, setting a dark cerulean dress and light blue slip on an armchair.
"What shall you be wearing for the ball, Impa?" Zelda asked as the handmaiden helped her out of her dress. The golden shoulder pauldrons came off first and was deposited gently onto the floor and the pink corset followed it.
"I shall wear my Sheikah robes, princess. Your father has granted me permission to wear them," Impa replied.
"You should leave and prepare, Miss Impa, if you are to be ready when the Princess is," The handmaiden stated nervously. The Sheikah glared at the younger girl, but turned and swept out of the room without another word.
"Does Impa frighten you?" Zelda asked curiously as she removed the dress.
"A little, princess," The girl admitted as she walked to the armchair. She picked up the light blue slip and set the first dress on the armchair.
"Is it because she is a Sheikah?" Zelda questioned. The girl blushed angrily and looked away.
"Yes, princess. But, you trust her and I place my trust in you, princess, so…" The girl mumbled as she walked forward. Zelda smiled sadly to herself as the girl helped her into the light blue slip. The memories of when she masqueraded as a Sheikah boy named Sheik during the seven years of Ganondorf's reign surfaced, dim after being hidden at the back of her mind for another seven long years.
"Did I say something offensive, princess? I beg your pardon, it's not my place to judge!" The girl stammered, interrupting Zelda's thoughts. Zelda looked down at the handmaiden, who seemed torn between fear and worry.
"You did not say anything to offend me," Zelda replied. The handmaiden sighed in relief as she aided Zelda with her corset and pulled the dark cerulean over Zelda's head. When the second layer was adjusted, the final addition to the dress was snapped around Zelda's waist. The banner unfolded downwards, proudly displaying the Royal Family emblem and the Triforce.
"Do you know who is to attend?" Zelda asked as she walked to see her reflection in the mirror sitting on an old vanity. The dark cerulean dress conformed to Zelda's figure, the light blue slip peeking out from behind the banner and the folds of the dress.
"Several princes from the neighboring countries are to attend, as well as the princess of the Zoras, Ruto, and the female leader of the Gerudos, Nabooru. The high court of Hyrule and the nobles will also be in attendence," The handmaiden jumped at Impa's voice. Zelda looked up at the mirror and saw the reflection of her attendent standing in the doorway. She wore long violet robes with loose flowing sleeves and leggings. The black tabard bearing the blood-red emblem of the Sheikah was worn over the robe.
"Thank you, Impa," Zelda replied as she turned to face Impa. The Sheikah smiled warmly.
"You look lovely, princess. We must go now," Impa stated, stepping away from the door so that Zelda could move past her. Zelda nodded and walked towards the door.
The entrance hall where the ball was to take place was lit with large festive lamps and small tables made an arch around the room. On one side, the tables had been shifted so that an orchestra could sit. Near the far end of the hall, a long table was set for the high court and the royalty to sit at. She could see her father already sitting at the table, his age beginning to show in his golden hair and in his smile. Princess Ruto was also at her seat, dressed in a long black ballgown and looking uncomfortable. Beside her, Nabooru stared at the crowd filtering in from the courtyards with a mixture of bemusement and boredom. Nabooru was wearing a dress as well, a thin light gold dress that made her eyes seem to glitter. Impa led her charge through the crowd, reaching the table without interference. Her seat was on the right side of her father with Princess Ruto sitting on her right.
"Good evening, Princess Zelda," Ruto greeted as Zelda sat down in her chair.
"Good evening Princess Ruto, Nabooru," Zelda replied. Nabooru turned at the sound of her name and smiled weakly before she began watching the nobles again.
"Good evening, Impa," Ruto continued, looking to the Sheikah standing just behind Zelda. Impa smiled and nodded her head before she started scanning the crowd for threats.
"Thank you for coming tonight," Zelda whispered.
"It is no problem. However, I wish they hadn't insisted I wear this bulky thing. It scratches my skin and it presses my fins inwards," Ruto whispered back, plucking at the dress in distate and annoyance.
"Are you wearing a slip? That could help the chafing," Zelda asked in confusion.
"What is a slip? I never knew what a dress was until two days ago, so I don't know what a slip is," Ruto replied in confusion. Nabooru snorted, earning herself a glare from Ruto.
"A slip goes underneath a dress to keep it from scratching the skin and to keep a person from over-heating," Zelda answered.
"Thank you. What was that laugh for, Nabooru?" Ruto growled, turning to glare at the Gerudo. Nabooru regarded her for a moment and opened her mouth to say something.
"Hush, the king is about to speak," Impa growled, effectively silencing Nabooru's retort. Zelda turned to see that her father had stood up. The entrance hall became silent as they waited for the king to speak.
"Welcome to Hyrule Castle! It is an honor to have so many come to celebrate Princess Zelda's sixteenth birthday. I bid you to enjoy yourselves," The king called. The king nodded towards the orchestra and they broke into song, signalling the start of the ball.