A/N: I do not own Legend of Zelda, nor any of its canon characters.

See my profile for my policy of Christian writing.

Chapter 1: Love Hostage

Link felt the color drain from his face as the lock clicked into place. His azure eyes rose to the smirking face of the girl in front of him. Her long coppery hair draped over her slender shoulders, fanning over the sleeves of her lavender gown. She looked rather lovely, actually... But that cock-eyed grin on her face spoiled her usual loveliness.

"Zelda…" He blinked at her, eyes wide.

She just grinned at him, pulling the key from its slot and slipping it up her sleeve. Then she slowly began to stalk forward – like a cat on the prowl. He gulped.

"Z-Zelda, now… Wh-What are you doing? What-What will Impa say?"

Her lips curved upward further, showing a bit of the white of her teeth. "Oh, come on, Link! It's the Celebration of Hearts! It's a very special day. And I have something to give you."

If there was any color left in the boy's face, it fled then, he was sure of it. His stomach was doing flipflops.

"S…Something?"

She nodded, and continued on her merciless path toward him. "Yes. Something very special. I wouldn't give it to anyone else…"

Oh, Dear Lord, help me… He swallowed hard. "Ah…"

"Now… I want you to close your eyes."

"C-C-Close my eyes?"

"Yes."

"Uh…" He hesitated, involuntarily backing away from her. She didn't seem to notice, and kept coming.

"Oh, please, Link? I want it to be a surprise…" She puckered her lower lip and tilted her cerulean eyes up at him.

He could never resist her when she did that. With a sigh, and a feigned shudder, he squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't help feeling as if he was flinching, preparing for something he wasn't sure he wanted to come.

He felt her warm breath on his face as she drew closer, and his pulse quickened. The caress of her breaths lingered on his face for what seemed like an eternity, when suddenly, it was gone, and a weight fell over his shoulders. He jumped in surprise, and then his face heated at the light brush of her fingers over his chest. Then her warmth was gone entirely.

"All right. Open your eyes."

He slowly cracked his eyes open, looking about for Zelda. He spotted her on the other side of the room, standing next to a full-body mirror. She was smiling normally now, almost proudly. She beckoned him, and this time, he readily obliged.

When he stood before the reflective glass, his eyes widened a the vibrant cloak of a deep forest green that draped over his shoulders. The golden clasp in the shape of a fern tendril glinted in the sunlight that streamed through her balcony doors, and golden thread embroidered the hem. It gathered in a thick, loose hood just at the back of his neck.

"Now turn around," said Zelda, beaming at him.

He did so, and gasped at the golden emblem stitched on the back – the phoenix cradling the Triforce, just like what was engraved on his shield.

"Wow…" He gaped at the gift with wide eyes, trailing his fingers over its soft, clean surface as if it were a treasure – and in a way, it was. "Did… Did you make this?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. Like I said – just for you. I thought it would match your special tunic…" She suddenly seemed shy, and she looked at the floor, shifting her feet.

He smiled at her, genuinely. "Thank you… Oh, and I have something for you, too!" He reached carefully into the satchel that hung about his shoulders, and withdrew his gift – it seemed pitiful compared to hers, but still…

"Here." He handed her the necklace, lined with a viney sort of wildflower he'd found in Hyrule Field, and weighted by the carving of a hummingbird at the front – she loved hummingbirds.

She grinned at him, gingerly accepting the gift with careful hands. "Link…"

"I, uh… Carved the bird out of a willow branch from my yard in Ordon…"

Gently cradling the small carving, she stared down at it before looking up at him again. "Help me put it on?"

The very idea made the color rush to his cheeks again, but he nodded and took the necklace from her and stepped behind her. He undid the clasp, and looped the chain around her neck to join the hook and loop together again at the back. His fingers brushed against her soft skin, and he shivered. With as much care as if he were touching a fragile baby chick, he redid the clasp, and laid it even on her neck. She turned around as he stepped away, caressing the hummingbird that now rested at her collarbone.

"I love it," she muttered, staring down at it. She then smiled at him again. "Thank you."

She seemed to hesitate about something, and suddenly, she leaned up and pressed her lips against his cheek. As quickly as she had done it, she jumped away, and clasped her hands in front of her, staring at her toes.

He blinked. Then, he paled. Finally, he ducked his head as his cheeks flamed. Zelda – Princess Zelda, Zelda his best friend – had just kissed him! If that didn't merit a bit of awkward bashfulness, he didn't know what did. He fidgeted anxiously, scuffing his toe on the floor and rubbing the back of his neck.

He jumped when she was suddenly in front of him again.

"I wanted to do more than just that, you know…" she admitted with a blush. "But… I've always said that my first really, real kiss should be with the man I'm going to marry."

His face burned furiously.

"Uh…"

"Zelda? Zelda, are you in there? Unlock this door this very minute! I know you made up that song and dance about your father having urgent matters to discuss with me, girl, and I've seen to it that you'll receive adequate punishment! Now open this door right now!"

Link's eyebrows shot up. "I've never heard her that angry before…"

Zelda grimaced. "Yes… She's in one of her rare moods. You'd better escape off the balcony while you still can…"

He finally allowed himself a wry grin, and he nudged her with his elbow. "You mean you're letting me go, Highness?"

"Yes…" she chuckled. "I suppose I am. You are no longer my hostage. You are free to go."

He grinned, taking the edge of his cloak in his hand and giving her a sweeping bow. "Thank you for your mercy, O graceful princess. I shall never forget your kindness."

She giggled and gave him a shove toward the balcony. "Hurry, you! Go on! If Impa gets in here and finds you, she'll throttle you first!"

He cast her one last grin, and swung over the balcony rail. Dropping to the tree branch that stretched just below it, he then scaled the tree to the solid ground of the gardens below.

He looked up at the balcony he had just left behind. A sigh escaped his lungs.

Yes, that Zelda was something special. He fingered his new cloak, and thought of the necklace he had given her.

Yes, something special indeed.