"Zelda! Zelda, wake up, you're late!"
Zelda opened her eyes to her sunlit bedroom and winced. "A little longer, please."
"No, Zelda, the tournament is beginning soon! You have to get up NOW!"
Naryu pulled the blankets from her best friend and drew the curtains back as far as she could in window causing the argentine ornaments around the room to magnify the sun's rays.
Zelda jerked up.
"Oh, no…!" She scrambled around the room rubbing her eyes. "Quickly, Naryu, help me get ready!" She put on the purple dress lying across the vanity chair.
"Come! Zelda, don't forget your jewels!" Naryu opened the door and pointed at the vanity.
The castle corridors were quiet and empty with the exception of a few birds chirping in the far distance, not to mention the sound of footsteps trailing down the main hall. The white stone walls were draped with violet tapestries trimmed with golden tassels. Golden candelabras shone in the bright morning sunlight.
They went outside and sat down around the king, queen, and prince.
In the center of the courtyard was a large stone circle made especially for the tournament. On the western side of the courtyard, a fountain stood. On the east side, common folk, nobles, knights, and vassals entered from the town. The spectators crowded around the arena. Curiosity had the better of them all.
"How can you be late to your own ceremony?" The king asked.
"And I thought you were going to find something else to wear?" The queen added.
"I woke up late." Zelda replied.
Her mother smiled and stood up to silence the boisterous crowd.
They went silent almost immediately and turned to see their queen.
The king sat silently and awakened the prince who slept beside him.
"You may begin, now, Raden."
Raden bowed. "Thank you my morning, Benvenuto, Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome! I am your emcee for today's event, Matthew Raden!"
The crowd cheered.
"He's really popular with the commoners, isn't he?" The young guard asked curiously.
The queen brought a finger to her lips and shushed him.
"Today's sword fighting tourney is being held for the beautiful queen-to-be, Princess Zelda, to decide upon her future bodyguard!" He pulled a list out of his pocket and read, "Today's combatants are the following: Jeffery Thorne, Michael Durelli, William Durelli, Maxwell Tate, and Link Smith! Combatants Maxwell Tate and Link Smith make their way to the center of the arena!"
They stepped into the center clad with light mail and equipped with a sword and shield.
Maxwell, the tall brunette, flexed his muscles in an attempt to impress the crowd. There were many cheers and screams from the crowd surrounding him. Link, the blonde, stood in place and smiled at his showy rival. He seemed to be, in no way, intimidated.
Matthew walked in between them and held out a hand to Zelda. "Now, men, take a look at your prize. By taking part in this tourney, you are confirming that you will protect this woman with your life. If your code of chivalry as failed you, then it is high suggested that you step down and except defeat."
Maxwell and Link looked up at Zelda.
Though she was smiling at them both, her gaze only met Link's.
"Combatants at ready!" Matthew called as he stepped out of the arena.
They took their stances with arrogance in their eyes.
What did she feel just then? She frowned as she watched.
"Maxwell's kind of charming! I think he made a gesture at me!" Nayru commented dreamily.
"I hope he loses." Zelda said monotonously.
"So do I." The king agreed with a nod.
"Duel!"
Maxwell thrust his sword at Link's chest only to have his attack easily deflected by Link's shield. He continued to hack away making very little progress to wear down his rival.
"Wow! What a show! I suppose on could only expect as much from the general's son!"
Maxwell jumped back in an attempt to dodge Link's swift attack.
"You're the general's son?! This can hardly be considered fair!" He blocked another blow.
Link made no reply. He continued to hack away at Maxwell's defenses.
Their swords echoed throughout the yard.
"He's so skilled!" Naryu commented.
"I know," Zelda said.
Eventually, Maxwell was defeated. He lie still on the ground and awaited the final blow.
Link held out a hand. "It's not a fight to the death,"
Maxwell blushed. "It might as well be. I lost…" He took Link's hand and stood up.
"This battle's winner has been decided! Link Smith!"
The crowd cheered loudly.
Alexander smiled to himself.
"Our next combatants are the Durelli cousins! Michael, William, please step into the arena!"
The cousins took their places in the center of the arena.
Zelda quickly lost interest in the battle and began to scan the crowd for the victor of the former.
"Where did the victor of the last battle go?" She asked.
"He should be with the guards on over by the fountain, but you honestly shouldn't be worried about him. Not a single cut on him. Pay attention, Zelda!" Her mother said watching the match.
She sat back in her seat and pretended to watch the match. Keeping her head in the direction of the fighters, she looked off towards the fountain and at the small group of guards. On the ground sat the general's son, Link.
He smiled and continued to converse with the other guards. Sir Smith stood over him laughing.
"He's been watching you." Naryu whispered in her ear. "I've seen him look up here a thrice since he defeated Maxwell."
Zelda blushed. "Really?"
"And Michael is this battles winner!"
"That was a very sloppy duel." The king commented bringing a hand to his beard.
"I think that William should've won." The queen whispered.
The next battle was between Jeffery Thorne and Michael Durelli. A battle that was soon ignored by the distracted princess. Though the crowd chanted and cheered and booed, and hissed, her only unbroken focus was on the general's son…and his was on her.
Her focus was broken by her mother's hand grabbing her chin and pulling her towards the battle.
"Zelda! Watch the match! Lucky for you, he's about to battle Neville next." The queen hissed.
Zelda jerked away and watched Link as he made his way down to the arena.
"Reentering the arena is Link Smith. His opponent now, is Neville Sweeny. Alright you two know the rules." He stepped back. "Duel!"
They watched amazed as the two young men fought around the stone circle.
Eventually the battle ended, and the winner was none other than Link. He stood victorious and smiled up towards the princess.
"Wow! It seems like Link is holding his reputation as the general's son! He moves on to the semi-finals against Michael Durelli!"
Michael entered the ring and sheathed his sword. "No. I am sorry. I…have broken my code of honor. I cheated my way through the tourney. There is no way that I could stand up against Link." He chuckled.
Link relaxed his muscles. "Are you sure? You don't even want to try your might against me?"
"He want's to fight him?" The guard asked in awe. "But, he broke his code of chivalry! Mother, Father, he should be locked away for such discourtesy!"
"Hush!" The queen replied tersely. "What is he doing?"
Michael shook his head. "You deserve the position of Princess Zelda's protector."
"Then it is decided! Link has proved himself worthy of Zelda's protector…If that is what the soon-to-be queen wishes…" Matthew leaned in closer to Link and said, "Go make your proposal."
Zelda stood up. "Dear Link Smith, I-"
Naryu turned her around and smoothed her hair.
"I disapprove of this!" The queen yelled. "This is an outrage! This is-"
"Not your decision." The king said calmly stroking his beard.
Zelda smiled at her father.
Link approached Zelda. He bowed and took her hand in his.
The queen gasped. She was disgusted by his gesture.
"Princess Zelda. I, Link Smith, promise to protect you from any danger that arises. I will give my life to protect yours and only yours. Zounds!" He swore.
His blue eyes gazed into hers awaiting her reply.
Zelda was speechless. Such a promise had never been made to her. "I, Princess Zelda, am happy to have you as my protector."
He kissed her hand, and bowed once more.
"Link, we expect to see you at tonight's celebration! You have rightfully earned your place at the royal table." The king placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you, your Highness." He turned to Zelda. "I shall see you tonight then, Princess."
Zelda nodded and watched him leave.
Naryu grabbed her by the arm and took her from the scene.
"I see what's going on here." She said leaning against the castle wall.
Zelda looked away and smiled. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Naryu smiled. "So it's true then!? You like him?!"
Zelda brought a hand to her friend's mouth and giggled. "Shush! I don't know! He's…charming. I find him…admirable."
Naryu removed Zelda's hand and grabbed her arm. "Come on. Let's go out into the bazaar for awhile."
They trailed off.
"Why did he confess?!" The queen asked herself aloud.
"You had no right to force a young knight into this." The king scolded.
"I'm the QUEEN! I have every right to force a knight into what he doesn't want to do!"
The king frowned. "You are not going to be queen for much longer, Murella. You've already forced your oldest daughter into becoming queen upon her eighteenth birthday, what more could you possibly ruin?! Our son-"
"Is of ten years! And RUIN?! I beg your pardon, Daphnes! But I am setting my kingdom up for-"
"Enough, Murella. We'll talk about this later. Right now we've got to get ready for tonight's grand feast."