Author's Note: Hey again! Thanks so much to the wonderful people who took a moment to review my first chapter, I really appreciate it. =) So now I'm going to take a shot at the next chapter. My only concern is that I wrote chapter 1 when I was in a very specific frame of thought, months ago, and I'm afraid that I won't capture the same style of writing again. But I shall try! *clenches her fist in determination* Just wanted to give a heads up as to why my writing style may have changed from last chapter to this one~ Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I still don't own the Legend of Zelda or any of its characters. I do own a fat cat though.
Marth had come to visit Hyrule Castle for a week. Zelda was less than thrilled by the unexpected news, but could do little to change it. After all, her father adored the handsome young prince. Link had also seemed thrilled at the idea of having Marth around, supposedly because this meant that he could be included in the prank.
"Maybe this'll scare him away for good," Zelda laughed. She and Link were sitting comfortably in the castle's courtyard; as usual, Link had easily slipped past the guards to come meet her. They were not expected to be there, so no one bothered to check up on the area.
"I thought about it all night last night," Link commented, his chin sandwiched between his finger and thumb. A sudden idea caused his eyes to light up. "Zelda, I don't suppose you have a dress I could borrow?"
"A dress?!" Zelda gasped, not sure she had heard the man correctly. Link nodded, his mind still in the process of formulating a plan. "Link, why on earth would you need a dress??"
"I'm going to woo Marth." He forced, barely able to contain the laughter rising in his throat. Immediately after, his resolve broke own and he snickered uncontrollably into the crook of his arm. Zelda gaped.
"You're not."
"I am."
"Link, you'll get caught!"
"He won't be able to tell!" Link nudged her shoulder playfully. "Besides, I already wear a tunic and I look fantastic! And he won't be able to resist these chiselled legs," he joked, extending one into the air. Zelda finally fell forward in laughter, unable to handle the ridiculous plan any longer.
"I think I can find you something," she snickered. Looking pleased, Link stood up and offered his hand out to her.
"Shall we go?"
"Where to?" Zelda asked, giving him a surprised look. He shrugged.
"The market, maybe? I'm sure we can find lots of useful stuff there to use in our escapade." He pulled Zelda up beside him and stole a glance around the corner. "Hey, where'd all the guards go?"
"What?" Zelda ran over to peer around the wall as well, and was surprised to find that the normally heavily guarded grounds were bare. "That's strange," she whispered, stepping around the corner to examine the gardens. A loud trumpeting from the castle walls startled them both, and Link quickly dove into a patch of thick brush to avoid being seen. He poked his face out a moment later when silence followed.
"An important visitor…?" he ventured, still not quite ready to fully emerge. Zelda turned toward the window in the courtyard.
"Yes, but who? Oh, and Link, I think it's safe to come out now." A ruffling could be heard, and a moment later he was standing beside her again. Zelda smirked as she plucked various twigs and debris out of his hair.
"Should we check it out?"
"Nah." Zelda turned away, disinterested. "It's probably just some friend of my father's. Accompanied by a handsome son, no doubt." The princess sighed and took hold of Link's hand to drag him away from the courtyard. "Let's go while they're preoccupied."
Zelda sat at a dining table, one arm perched on the table to hold up her drooping head. Beside her, Marth and the king of Hyrule were engaged in an animated conversation which she had long drifted out of. Link was no doubt wondering where she could have gotten to, and she hoped he had gotten fed up and went on ahead to the market without her. While fetching a cloak from her room in order to travel unnoticed, she had unfortunately run into several servants who summoned her to a meeting with the company she now shared. Unable to refuse, Zelda was forced to attend and now listened to them drabble on. Her leg bounced to an unheard rhythm underneath the table, fortunately unseen to the others. This was precisely why she hated visitors; the princess always had to be present for such matters, but never did she get to interact on any sort of interesting level. Her name bubbling up in the conversation roused Zelda from her mental wanderings.
"I'm sorry, father?"
"Tomorrow, at the feast. I asked you to attend so that you can meet our honourable guest."
"Oh, of course father." Wonderful. Another commitment. When would she and Link have time for the prank? "Is that what the commotion was about earlier?" she continued, not letting on that she was less than thrilled by this news.
"Yes. Lord Ganondorf arrived today and is staying in the guest chambers until the end of the week. I'm holding a feast tomorrow in honour of his visit; he's ruler of the Gerudo tribe to the west and has some important information to discuss. You should be there, it's never too early to start learning about such matters. Marth, you have an open invitation to attend too if you'd like." The king settled himself atop his entwined fingers while peering at the younglings. "Yes, there shall be plenty of food, and dancing, and-"
"Father," Zelda interrupted, not liking where the conversation was going. She pulled herself up from the dining chair and tried to look apologetic. "I'm sorry to take such sudden leave, but I believe it's time for one of my lessons…"
"Already?" he asked, confused. "But I thought they were done at morning and evening intervals? Shouldn't it be later on in the day?"
"They've switched the times," Zelda answered nervously, looking away from her father.
"Oh. Alright then, be off. But please be back in a timely manner for dinner…" Zelda barely let him finish before darting out of the room. Both men were a little startled by her haste; normally the princess had to be cornered before being dragged to lessons. They dismissed it however and returned to their former conversation. Zelda was halfway down the hall, headed towards her room with a determined stride. Lessons were in fact done for the day, but staying at the table a moment longer would have been excruciating. When she finally reached her room, it was no surprise that Link was situated comfortably on her balcony, playing a sweet melody on his porcelain ocarina. Zelda didn't know were he learned, but hearing the tune instantly relieved the tension building up in her shoulders.
Link looked up when the scrape of her dress against the ground caught his attention. The young man flashed a smile but noticed something troubled in her eyes, then motioned for her to sit down. Zelda did so, sighing quietly as she did.
"I didn't see you at our meeting place. Did something come up?"
"My father…sorry Link…" Zelda sighed again and drew her knees up so she could lean on them. "And he's organized a feast tomorrow that I'll have to go to. I don't think we can follow through with our plans."
"Aw geez, Zel. You give up too easily. Don't you see, this works perfectly!"
Zelda threw him a sceptical look.
"I don't see how."
"Listen," Link said, leaning forward. "Feasts at Hyrule Castle are a big deal. Huge, right? Meaning everyone's gonna be there. If ever there were a perfect opportunity for a prank, that would be it."
"What are you planning to do?" Zelda asked, still not convinced; Link's eyes glittered.
"First-things-first is my Marth plan. Then you'll just have to see for yourself once the evening gets underway." He winked at her and brought the ocarina to his lips once more. They listened to a song melt into the breeze while Zelda's mind turned to the next few days. Link would be leaving soon, and they'd barely spent any time together. Zelda closed her eyes and tried to focus only on the melody, hoping to push the painful realization from her mind. Four years was so long.
Four years…..
Link's song immediately stopped as an elegant wave of hair brushed against his shoulder. Surprised, the young man looked to the side to where the young girl now rested against him. Not sure if he should talk, Link instead risked a glimpse into her face; resting there was a sleeping princess. With a smile, he returned his gaze forward and let the wind tousle his hair. Quiet moments between them were always the most memorable. It kept his mind off things. Off of his journey in two days. Off of leaving the only home he had ever known for seventeen years. Off of leaving his friends…and…Link looked at her out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but smirk. His life here would surely be missed…
Life inside the castle the next morning was hectic and busy. Zelda's servants had woken her early to begin preparations, and she was now yawning as the attendants fitted her dress and set about styling her hair. The entire castle was being adorned in preparation for the awaiting feast that evening, and no details were left uncared for. Such thoughts were far from the princess's mind however; she was instead anxiously awaiting the arrival of Link – today was the big day they had planned for. After what felt like hours, the servants finally left once their work was done; Zelda examined herself in front of the mirror before scrunching her nose at the reflection. While fit for such an occasion, Zelda hardly enjoyed being dolled up simply to be pleasing to foreign company. She turned away hastily before giving in to the temptation to ruffle her intricately tied hair. An abrupt knock on the door caused the princess to startle.
"Zelda?" Link's instantly recognizable voice called out. She hurried over to open the door before anyone passing by could notice his presence. Link sprung into her room and quickly slammed the door behind him. His cheeks were flushed and his breath came in heavy gasps.
"Did anyone see you?"
"I don't think so," he breathed. Finally composed, he brushed some of the blond bangs back from his face hastily and grinned. "Wow Zel, you look beautiful." Blood rushed to her face and the princess quickly turned away before he could notice.
"I-I got a dress picked out that I think will fit you," she said quickly. Link followed her over to the dresser, where a grassy-green dress was laid out carefully. "The sleeves are poofy, so it should cover your shoulders…"
"Are you saying I have fat shoulders?" Link asked playfully. Zelda rolled her eyes and shoved the dress at him.
"Broad, Link, and a bit too muscular to be a lady-in-waiting – here, you'll also need this head covering since you have short hair…" Zelda mumbled distractedly while adding several more items to the pile in his arms. Before he could reply, he was pushed behind the dressing screen at one end of her room. "Ok, now hurry up and get changed; I never wear this dress, so no one should recognize it."
"This looks complicated…" an unsure voice drifted over from the other side.
"Start with the bottom layer," she sighed and waited impatiently. Shuffling could be heard a moment later along with a frustrated sigh, followed by a sudden yelp. A slam on the floor caused Zelda to jump. "Link?!"
"Don't worry!" he called. After ten more minutes of the same scenario, Link emerged, slightly disoriented, in a sloppy dress. He wore a flustered expression and looked at Zelda helplessly through his tousled bangs. Giggling, she walked over and quickly adjusted the dress so it fit properly.
"Not bad for a first attempt."
"How do you wear these things every day??" Link asked in wonder. Zelda walked around to face him and offered two cupped objects in her palms.
"What are these?" Link asked with a hint of scepticism.
"You do want to be a woman, don't you?" Zelda replied, holding both of the objects towards him.
"Don't you think that's taking it a bit far?" he responded, suddenly thinking that pretending to be a woman wasn't such a good idea.
"Women have curves, Link. Marth will definitely notice if you lack certain…features."
"Zelda!" Link whined. She raised an eyebrow at the distressed boy.
"Either you do it, or I will."
"Fine." Huffing, he removed the spheres from her extended hands and turned away hastily. Zelda couldn't help but giggle as he struggled to shove the objects down the front of his dress as quickly as possible. When he was finished, Link spun around and waited for the verdict. Instead of responding, Zelda threw a hand over her mouth and tried to suppress a snort from escaping. A failed effort, tears sprung to her eyes and she doubled over in laughter, gasping for breath but unable to stop. Link looked confused by her reaction and checked over himself again. "What's so funny?"
"You're lopsided!" she squeaked, now holding her stomach as she tried to compose herself. Link turned a brilliant shade of red and attempted to adjust his top, without much success. Zelda only laughed harder at his expense.
"Zel! C'mon, knock it off! I told you this was a bad idea!"
"Sorry, sorry," she said, an amused ring still clear in her voice. The princess turned away and dug through the bottom of her closest, then emerged a moment later holding a white box. Link looked at it inquisitively when she offered it to him.
"What's this?"
"A lady needs high heels." She said with as serious a tone as she could before her laughter betrayed her once again. Link took the box from her, filled with a sense of dread. The lid was peeled back to reveal a glistening pair of pumps covered in sparkling diamonds and assorted gems.
"You can't be serious."
"I'm very serious."
"Zelda!!"
"Ok, ok, I'll spare you the heels. But will you at least try them on so I could see what it would've looked like?"
"No!"
It was fortunate that Link was well-educated in the area of royalty and expected mannerisms of its attendants; if Zelda had to teach him how to speak in addition to how to act, she would have pulled her hair out. She had to give him credit for trying; he had gotten the voice down fairly well. But it was pretty hard not to notice his habit of casual leaning any time he stood still, and when he walked he tripped over the dress hem every five steps or so. Zelda finally had to give up and let him wear his normal combat boots, with the promise that he'd only walk around if absolutely necessary. While Link didn't like the idea of standing still for hours, he also didn't want to make a complete fool of himself. With great caution they travelled down the hall, Link clamped around Zelda's arm in the event that he lost his footing again. Things seemed to be going well, until a rapid shuffle approaching behind down the hall stopped the two in their tracks. Zelda noticed the striking blue hair first. Following it was a smiling face, slightly feminine in appearance but still handsome. With casual ease, Marth strode up to the pair and flashed a delighted smile.
"Zelda! There you are! Your father's been looking for you." He said cheerfully. Zelda inwardly sighed.
"Hello, Marth."
"And who is this lovely young woman with you?" he asked, bending down to peer at Link. "I don't believe we've met. May I have the honour of inquiring your name?"
"….." Link began to panic as he stared at Marth's outstretched hand. Zelda visibly tensed when she realized why he wasn't answering; after all his intricate planning, after carefully outlining every minute detail, Link had forgotten to come up with a fake name. Of all things, he forgot to plan his own name! Slowly, Link outstretched his hand while his mind reeled. 'Think fast, think fast, think fast!'
"Miss?"
"It's Li—Linda!" he cried suddenly, a bit too loud. Zelda bit her lip, but Marth only smiled and kissed the hand graciously.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Linda." With the crisis ended, Link eased up and switched into acting mode.
"Oh, what a charming prince," he cooed, batting the fake eyelashes Zelda had glued to his eyelids shamelessly. "Surely I'm the one who should be pleased to make such an acquaintance." Ignoring the disgusted look on Zelda's face, Link wrapped his hands around Marth's forearm. "Would it be bothersome for you to show me around the castle? I'm new here, and the princess has been rather busy as of late. It's so easy for such a tiny girl like myself to get lost in such a big castle!"
"Why, I'd be honoured!" The prince replied, looking pleased.
"Oh Marthykins, you're such a kind perso – OW!!" Link was suddenly yanked away from Marth rather violently by a fuming Zelda, who shot him a warning glance before looking at Marth.
"I'm sorry, but could you excuse us for a few minutes, Marth? Linda and I have some urgent things to discuss before I go to see my father."
"No problem at all, Zelda," he responded warmly, then turned to leave. "Miss Linda…I'll be waiting at the castle bridge for your tour; please meet me there when you are finished!" And a moment later, he was gone from sight. Zelda sighed, then smacked Link over the head, earning a shocked yelp.
"Zel!! Why do you keep hitting me?!"
"You took that too far!" She cried. "Honestly, Link, you were practically throwing yourself at him!"
"But didn't you see? It worked!" Link replied, smug. He was met with an irritated glare.
"You're shameless."
"You're jealous."
"Am not!"
Link looked pleased at gaining the upper hand, then lightly nudged Zelda with his shoulder. That goofy smile instantly melted away the tension, causing Zelda to sigh in defeat. She looked up at him, with a tiny smile on her face.
"You better go finish what you started," she said. Link chuckled and looked off toward the castle bridge, where a distant silhouette could be seen, then returned his attention to Zelda.
"I've hardly begun," he drawled menacingly; Zelda gave him an inquiring look, but Link only shook his head and turned to leave. "Everything's in place – I'll see you later at the banquet." With that, he was gone in a blur of green, leaving a very confused princess to ponder what would happen in Hyrule Castle that evening.
This chapter was more for fun than anything else. XD As a side note, I'll now post updates on my profile that say where I'm at as I write the story so you can get an idea with what's going on during the writing process.
**Funny Fact! I looked up the name meaning of Linda, and it means "Pretty One." Oh Link, you poor, poor boy.