first chapter of my first book, One-Shots! starring Zelink.
I have not proof-read it, so pardon me for mistakes.
Bad word count: 1
It was Princess Zelda's birthday. The castle ballroom was filled with many people, along with golden streamers, balloons, and table clothes. Ladders stood colossal, with a few hylians on a certain height, pinning the decorations to the wall or window frame.
The royal cooks, after seeing the table clothes being set and perfected, brought out all sorts of meals and treats, from turkey to chocolates to a full salad bar. The tables were set along the walls of the ballroom, so hylians can dance more freely. Instruments were set up in the front of the room, by the stairs, so bands can go up and play songs.
When attending this special birthday party, you must wear proper attire, for you will likely see the ruler of Hyrule at the front gates, greeting everyone who comes in. Her parties are always open invite, which means a heavier guard duty is ordered so the castle doesn't get overrun by enemies in disguise.
But the enemies would have to be pretty stupid to attempt such a dangerous invasion. Why?
Simply, because the Hero of Time is there, too.
This was Link's first time attending Zelda's birthday party. He was off somewhere, warding off evil or something, so he never gotten around to being with her on her birthday. The protector of Hyrule is almost always busy, gone from only one day to two weeks, maybe even three if he was unlucky. The surrounding regions didn't have as strong knights as Hyrule's. Link would find a letter or two on his bed in Hyrule's castle (which he now lived in). He would silently cut the top of the envolope open, then read the contents inside. Whether he wanted to or not (which he almost always did, as he was a real softie), he would ride Epona to that particular place and do the deed requested.
In the morning of this day, Link woke up and stared at the white ceiling tinted with the sunrise. It was about 6:40am. He knew this date was coming from a mile away: Zelda's birthday. Her party was tonight, and he knew she was expecting him not to be there.
Link propped himself on the cushiony pillows. You bet he was more tired than ever, but instead of being the sleepyhead he is and dosing off again, he got up and put on his boots. He often sleeps with his regular clothes on anyways.
Link opened the bedroom door quietly and stepped out. The messenger couldn't be awake yet; he starts his job at 7. The Hero of Time saved the messenger a couple minutes and decided to get the request letters himself. So, like a ghost, he walked down the stairs and tiptoed to the mail room. No sound. Good.
He looked inside the mail basket. A small number of letters were in there, about seven. He took them out and skimmed the addresses one by one.
Oddly enough, no letters were written to him. Link searched around the room for a letter that possibly had his name on it. None. He went back upstairs to see if the messenger woke up early and already set the letters on his bed or desk, but all was lacking stuffed envolopes.
No deeds= Zelda's party.
If he could make it through the whole day without seeing a single letter assigned to him, he could finally go to his princess's birthday party.
But then, another idea formed in his head.
Link could make a grande appearance, like soldiers do when returning from war far, far away somewhere. That would be the best. Zelda would be dumbstruck, lost of all words as Link would finally have a chance to dance with her.
Dancing with Zelda.
Nice.
Link snapped out of his daydream when someone knocked on his bedroom door. He opened it a crack to find the messenger, holding a single letter in his hand.
It was like his dream shattered right before his eyes. He cursed that damned letter to the dark realms and back.
"For you, from the princess of Hyrule," the messenger exclaimed, holding out the envolope. Link took it, watching his dream tape itself together again. The messenger bowed and left the line of sight. Link closed his door immediately and ripped open the papercraft.
Unfolding the paper, he started to read the delicate, cursive handwriting of his crush.
"Link,
If you get this, I hope you don't miss out on my birthday party. You'll be greatly needed to clean out the whole plate of your favorite chocolate cookies. The cooks make them just for you, like every year, but you don't come to claim them all, so there is none leftover for you to eat.
You will be coming, right?
If not, I understand.
If you are able to come at any cost, please do. Who will eat the cookies?!
~Zelda"
Link smiled at Zelda's coverup excuse, the cookies. It was rather cute, imagining what the princess's face could've been like while writing this letter. Blushing, smiling warmly, holding back tears that the facts wipe right in front of her eyes: 'the chances of Link coming to your party are zero, as always', or 'please, you still think he'd make it? Look at your past parties', or 'godesses, I think Link might actually ATTEND this year... oh wait, he can't, because he's too busy for his beloved princess's birthdays'.
He felt his dream hover over needles and knives, ready to tear again.
But Link was smarter than this. He decided to stick to his plan and escape through his window. He'll have to sneak around Hyrule to attempt to find Zelda the perfect present, one that would make up for all his other party absences. After all, she didn't miss his birthday parties.
7:15. The party was thirty minutes in, and no signs of Link among the crowd of hylians. Women were dressed in frilly, colorful dresses, often matched with their partners, if they came with someone. Kids pranced around the room in adorable little suave clothes and ate all the food they could touch with their crumb-smudged hands. People bowed to Princess Zelda as she walked by, complimenting her dress.
It was a sparkly dark blue, fishtail-style dress. A sash that wrapped around her waist was golden, like the theme of this year's party. She wore elbow-length gloves of the same blue color, with gold wristwraps. Her earings were gold also. Her hair was let loose, and a blue flower was wedged on her ear.
Of course, Zelda was one of those women with astonishing beauty, so various boys, young or really old, gaped at her in the distance.
Zelda silently walked over to a table where a little girl in a white dress was trying to reach or an apple. The princess smiled and handed one to her.
"Thank you, your Highness!" With that, the little girl bowed clumsily and scampered away.
Zelda sighed. Another year without Link attending my party, gone, she thought hopelessly. I hope the messenger handed that letter to him in time. Feeling that her mourning was not welcome among this cheerful room, she settled for the balcony, overlooking the town and Hyrule Field. The full moon reflected off of the scenery, giving everything a happy blue glow.
"Are you staring at the same moon as I, Link?" Zelda said to herself. She was filled with that strange happy/lonely mix that accompanied her every year on this day.
"When will you ever come to my party?" She leaned on the stone that acted as fencing, oblivious to who was behind her.
"Maybe next year. I'll be eighteen by then, but I'll become an adult. You won't miss that party, hopefully... if not, there's always all those years to—" suddenly, she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She turned around and saw the Hero of Time, standing in a suit with matching colors of her own gown.
"Link!" Zelda pounced on him, holding him tightly. She squeezed her eyes shut so forcefully, tears sprang up. Link hugged her back.
"How... I thought you had—"
"None," he said. "No letters." Zelda removed her head from his chest and looked into his glassy blue eyes.
"Really?" He smiled and nodded. The two began talking, not bothering to get on the ballroom floor and dance to the slow songs that began to play in there. They just stood side-by-side, looking at the moon. When the conversation ended, Zelda looked at Link. He looked back. Then, some particular thought popped in his mind. He leaned over and placed his lips on hers.
Happy birthday, Zelda.