And This I Swear

Summary: the Royal Family of Hyrule has alwats been enshrouded in a dark mystery, often only known to the King or Queen. Outsiders, and even the Sheikah who do not directly serve the family are not meant to know the secrets haunting the halls of the castle. But as the Princess nears her coronation, who does she really consider an outsider?

Chapter One: Once Upon A Time

Lor: wewt! New fanfic!

Link: your scripting for this one makes me a little nervous.

Zelda: I agree

Lor: oh jeez, you make it sound like I wrote a PWP.

Link: you've written one!?

Lor: mebbe...do my disclaimer already -.-;;

Navi: Lor doesn't own Legend of Zelda. She does however have her own shining copy of Twilight Princess!

Lor: (siiigh) Such a pretty, pretty, amazing and wonderful, amazing game...

Navi: LISTEN!! On to chapter one!

It was a chilly winter evening that night in Hyrule, snow blanketed the fields and the air was so still and crisp that it hurt to inhale deeply. Candlelight shone out from windows in the town market, and despite the distance Link noted light from the castle windows as well. He wore, as always, the green clothes that made him known, but made of thicker, heavier materials to endure the temporary cold of Hyrulian winter. Snow crunched beneath his brown leather boots as he made his way through the town and toward the castle. Perhaps it was a little late for him to just drop in, but he didn't think that he would be staying long. If she had the time for him, he'd come back in the morning.

The small glow of Navi beneath his hat shivered. "Link, are we there yet? I'm cold." He stopped and pulled off one of his gauntlets to unbutton his tunic. Lifting yp his hat, he caught the little fairy in his hand. With a soft smile he settled her against his chest and rebuttoned it. Navi glowed a slightly pinker shade as Link began to walk again.

"Is that better?" he inquired gently. "Sorry I didn't think of that earlier."

"I'm good!" she chirped happily, snuggling against the warmth of his chest.

"That's good," Link chuckled, pulling his hat over his pointed ears. "I don't want you getting sick." He knew quite well though, that fairies never got sick, no matter how cold they were.

The gate outside the castle grounds was locked, probably even frozen, and Link did not want to go through the formalities associated with asking the guards to open it for him. He drew out his sword and began to climb the hills around the gate. By the time he reached the castle, stars were peeking out. With his hands on his waist he stared as his usual frozen entrance, biting his bottom lip.

"This...poses a slight challenge..." He stared for a moment longer before walking toward the front gate. I suppose I will have to go through all the formalities... Link thought with a sigh. The knoghts staring down from the walls barely acknowledged him as he slide across the frozen water and through the partially opened gate. He smiled and gave a small wave to the man guarding the door.

"Good evening, Sir Maurice," he greeted. "You haven't changed a bit."

A small smile creeped out of the old man's weathered face. "Nice to see you too, Mister Link. You've grown several inches since your last visit, I see. Here to see the Princess again?"

Putting a finger to his lips, Link smiled. "Shh, let's keep it a surprise."

"Mum's the word," the soldier promised, looking away as Link walked past. His light steps were not audible as he walked through the mostly empty corridors, avoiding other soldiers so as not to land the kind Sir Maurice in any trouble for allowing him to just go through. Standing outside the Princess' room were two guards. Unbuttoning his tunic to let Navi out, he gestured toward the end of the hall. After zipping around one of the guards, she flew to the end of the hall and disappeared. They both followed.

Now that the coast was clear Link knocked on the door. "Come in," she called, not in the high voice he remembered, but the mature, sweeter voice of a young woman. He pushed the door open slowly, closing it gently. Leaving a small space for Navi when she returned, he stepped toward the bedroom. Through the thin silk curtain he watched her pull on a robe, catching his mind before it wandered off to wonder what she was wearing beneath. A look of surpise crossed her featuers as he revealed himself. He didn't forget to notice the slightly rose colour surfacing on her cheeks.

"I...I wasn't expecting you..." she said uncertainly, before relaxing and smiling softly. "I'm starting to question your quarterly visits, Link."

Shrugging, he took off his hat and set down his weapons. "I don't want to bother you or your father with frequent visits. How have you been?" He sat next to her as she sat on the corner of her bed.

"I'm alright but my father...has been ill as of late." Zelda didn't look at him, instead she stared out the window. "I'm sure he'll get well once the spring cmes." She turned toward him, a fainter smile on her lips. "And what have you been keeping busy with, Link?" Although he was subtle, Zelda watching his hand move to her far shoulder.

"Not much..." He looked away from her gaze as he pulled her closer. "Adventuring, saving the world, helping cats down from trees, nothing new."

"I missed you," she told him quietly, earnestly. "You're not very good at keeping in touch."

"Yes but you'll forgive me, won't you?" he asked softly in return, voice slightly huskier than it had been moments ago. She moved a little coser, lifting her chin the slightest. Link turned his downward. they were close enough that each breath made their skin tingle.

"Of...course," Zelda replied belatedly, putting one hand on his chest. Link caught her lips with his before she spoke another word. The princess didn't object, in fact she often felt that these moments did not come fast enough during his brief visits. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he pressed her against him tightly. For now, I will pretend I am not the future queen...for now I will pretend I am the lucky, normal girl you wish to spend you life with, she thought as his hands roamed, both stopping on her back.

While Link was by no means a pervert, he often found himself wishing she was not a princess. Her father would see him dead if anything happened between them. You are my princess...in this moment I will forget that...

They pulled apart, glancing shyly at each other, breathing heavily and knowing this was as far as they would ever go and as close ans they could ever get.

"Maybe I should leave," Link mumbled, pressing his forehead against hers.

"Don't you dare." Zelda peered up at him. "I don't want you to leave yet."

Link's soft smile grew to a slight grin. "You just can't live without me, Princess."

Zelda tilted her head up once more, brushing her lips against his teasingly as she smiled sardonically in return. "You only desire, mister Hero."

The title changed the mood of the situation almost immediately. "Is it always going to be like this?" Link leaned over her, moving so quickly that she held onto the sleeve of his tunic. The quick joking mood had fased and he looked down into her dark blue eyes seriously. The look killed her.

"What else can we do? No matter what the peopl surmise, I'll be expected to marry some politically powerful man..."

"Share his bed and bear his kid, I know, but I'd much prefer you having an older brother or sister. Or maybe run away, with me."

"Link..." She disliked this conversation. He watched her, and she looked away. Against his gently grasp she stood up and walked away, to the large glass doors leading to her balcony. Stepping up, he followed her outside to the cold. Wrapping his strong arms around her. he searched for something to say. A meteorite struck across the black, starry sky, and Link tightened his embrace.

"Make a wish, Princess," he whispered against her silky hair.

I wish for the strength to find the freedom I seek.

-End