And tadaa! Here is my second story, though this one will be longer. The reviews I got were really gratifying (thank you, you awesome people - you rock socks) and so I felt compelled to upload this. Twilight princess again… What can I say? I love that game although there was hardly ANY zelink *sob* so yeah, I had to make it seem possible.
Right, I'm rambling. I'm going to shut up now.
Oh, wait.. Concisus just means "broken" in Latin. (saves you google-ing it ;D)
that's all. Enjoy.
"Dance with me"
His voice alone, rough with an emotion she couldn't placate, sent a pleasurable shiver through her.
Gladly, Zelda complied, slipping her hand into his with familiarity. Relishing in the strong grip that always provided a sense of security.
His eyes, dark and feral reminded her blatantly of the wolf he once was. Yet, they were also unreadable and that fact nagged her mind.
She adored it, true, for it always intrigued her to decipher his thoughts. But it was infuriating. He was completely enigmatic and though try she would, his thoughts eluded her.
Everyone else resembled an open book - their emotions as palpable as if she were reading them off a page. But no, not Link.
Even after a year of being in his company she still struggled to really understand Link, (probably having his patron Goddess as the Oracle of Secrets wasn't helping) but she couldn't deny that she found him to be puzzling and maybe that was what drew her all the more to him.
Kind, considerate and undeniably heroic, she enjoyed his company immensely…
That was why she feared tomorrow... And his involvement in the war...
Her hand tightened reflexively, and she lost her footing momentarily, tightly grasping on to every moment she had with him.
Link's eyes captivated hers. A faint smile upon his lips.
"What ails you so, my Queen?"
Zelda sighed, the sound heavy with a thousand burdens. She couldn't tell him here. Not where all the nobles were, listening to her every word, or where the rambunctious princesses would spread absurd rumours about the Queen and her Hero.
"Many factors concern me, Hero. But my greatest is that of what the dawn brings."
Link smirked, amusement lighting up his cerulean orbs.
"Hmm… I think your lying."
She glanced at him, knowing it was no use to avoid his persistence, but she still wouldn't admit her true worries.
"Join me outside in a minute, I will tell you then."
Link's smile grew, "as you wish"
Zelda waited patiently, watching her hero descend the stairs to where she stood in the courtyard.
As his gaze met hers she glanced away, trying not to reflect upon the fact that the moon dyed his hair to silver, or that his eyes seemed to glow in the ethereal light…
"So, I assume now you will enlighten me?"
She almost rolled her eyes. "I worry for my army. This is the first war they have partaken in."
Link looked pensive. "Do you not believe that we will be victorious?"
"I do no doubt it for one second."
Hyrule was a powerful county, and far larger than Holodrum. If sheer numbers were not alone a threat, the deadly skills at which her army fought would certainly tip the scales in their favour.
Zelda's mouth twitched, so many recruits had joined once Link had been knighted (something she had relentlessly insisted upon) hoping to taste a hero's life. Many had been ignorant to the trials that a title held, yet she had been impressed by their perseverance.
Link was an excellent teacher from what she had witnessed and her army had soon improved, with even her council impressed - not a task deemed easy.
If only Link had been there at the start of the Twilight invasion - that whole fiasco could have been swiftly avoided she though bitterly.
"Then why are you so worried?" he took her hands in his own, drawing them against his chest.
She smiled, though somewhat sadly. "Do not fret over me, I assure you that I am fine."
Link's eyebrows rose as he looked at her disbelievingly. "I know you well enough to know that's not the case."
Her smile grew though still forlorn. Link knew her better than anyone. Both frightening and comforting; he was attune to her every emotion and need.
Seeing through her icy glares and words of contempt that reduced even the hardest of nobles to their knees, he saw "Zelda" not "The Queen" and that terrified her.
She was Hyrule's leader. A figure of authority and justice.
Not some women who could be manipulated by the stirrings of her heart. And yet, she welcomed them.
Allowed herself to be swept into the childhood legends of her hero coming to win her affections having once prevailed over darkness.
No, no, no. He was her hero. And that was it. Nothing more, nothing less. Despite her wishing for that something more.
Goddesses, he had never even openly showed her any hint that he cared for her.
He had given every female a flower on Hylia's Day. (she tried to ignore that hers was a red tulip)
He offered to carry anyone's bags, not just her own.
And perhaps he enjoyed sitting beside her in the library or in the garden as it was a time in which he could enjoy solitude...
"I..." she was acutely aware of his hand around hers, standing closer than what protocol advised. Hastily she mumbled something under her breath - reprimanding herself whilst doing so; Queens do not mumble - but Link caught it.
"You worry about me?" his words held shock though still amused.
"I admit that your welfare is my first priority..."
Zelda dropped her gaze; ashamed. What kind of Queen worried about the safety of her hero more than her county? Sweet Nayru she was appalled.
Link chuckled, breaking her reverie. "I'm offended"
Her head rose. Concern was an insult?
Slowly he released her hand to gently caress her face, tracing a line from her cheekbone to her jaw.
Her knees consequently weakened, the dropping sensation in her stomach rapidly increasing; she was thankful for his support.
"Zelda..." he smiled, "who, with assistance, saved your kingdom, fighting against darkness personified?"
"T-that would be you." Goddess, she felt light-headed
"And who conquered Ganondorf, saving not one, but two realms?"
"Y-you"
Link smiled, albeit arrogant. "Exactly"
"But..." Zelda sighed, knowing it was impossible before she spoke. "I wish I could help."
She would be helping… only not as Zelda… Not even Link knew that
His eyes darkened considerably. "And drive me to the brink of insanity again? No."
"We succeeded did we not?" her tone was slightly more defiant than intended but Link smiled.
"True..." the smile vanished, his expression serious. "But I had never been more terrified in my life. Letting you accompany me again? No. Just no."
She almost laughed, oh if only he knew…
"Then please, Link. Understand my fear for you." her eyes dropped to the floor. "I cannot bear the thought of you fighting once more..."
Ganondorf circled around Link, his laugh malicious
Her hero looked fierce, feral even. She knew someone would die on this battle.
The terror gripped her heart, paralysing her unmovable. It was absurd to care for someone whom she had just met in human form and yet...
She couldn't even scream as their blades clashed.
"It is my duty."
"As is mine. I do not want to be rendered useless, unable to fight for my people."
Link gave her a withering look, "you are protecting your country just as much as if you were to fight."
Zelda turned away. Sitting upon a throne and maintaining her regal demeanour did not lead Hyrule to victory.
"I would rather fight." and she would.
She felt Link tense, his hands rose to her face; forcing her to look at him.
The genuine concern she saw shattered her composure, he was so close, she could feel his breath touch her lips.
" I need you here. I need to know that when I return, you are here to greet me..."
He drew in a breath, organising his thoughts. " I have to know that you are safe."
Zelda stopped. He cared that much? suddenly she didn't feel as confident in her disguise. She felt her lips turn up, as she leaned closer; inhaling his scent.
"I am safest where my hero is."
Link gave her a gentle smile. "Then I will have to give you something, so that you will always be protected…"
She watched in awe as he reached into his pockets, pulling out a small drawstring bag.
"Close your eyes."
She dutifully complied, sensing Link step behind her.
The delicate touch of metal touched her throat as did his breath and she bit her lip to prevent from shivering.
Her eyes opened, fingers reaching up to her neck. Thankful for the grand fountain, she gasped as she took in the glittering jewellery.
"Link… It's beautiful."
Her word were rich with her honesty. True, she had received a multitude of necklaces, each cold and pointless. But this…
A single chain with blue sapphires that hung off it like drops of water. And in the centre, a round turquoise swirled with hues of both green and blue. It was truly dazzling.
Her joy threatened to spill from her eyes as she grinned broadly, for once not caring that it was undignified. She just felt so filled with merriment.
"I'm glad you like it. Everything else seemed too plain so I thought I'd make one instead."
Her mouth dropped slightly, "you made this?" she gazed at him in awe.
Link shrugged. "I got the sapphires from Ralis, the turquoise from the Lakebed temple and the chain was my mother's."
Tears dropped from her eyes. She had never received a gift that had been crafted just for her… and yet she didn't quite know how to convey her gratitude when word seemed insignificant to such a gift.
"My mother always said to give it to someone special and-" his words were cut off as she kissed his cheek, soft as a butterfly's wing.
Link glanced at her, shock written on his face.
"Thank you, Link."
His smile was blinding. "Your welcome, Zelda." he took her into his arms again, holding her close.
"I'd do anything for you, you know that right?
She smiled, "If you will do anything, then can you promise me one thing?"
"Anything"
Her hands reached up to twine around his neck, keeping his eyes on her.
"Please stay safe too. For Hyrule, for Ordon… For me."
Link pressed his lips to her head. "I promise, Zelda."