A/N: Second chapter. This story is awesome to write.

Hurtful Talons

Zelda stood alone with Prince Jess. He had followed her after her afternoon studies and now the two were standing outside. The sun glared with intense heat and light. It was strange that the weather became so unnatural for spring to have. No clouds adorned the blue sky and even the feathery creatures hid from the heat. The young princess tried to shake off the love struck prince but he was persistent in talking with Zelda. He was her father's favorite and Jess knew it. Not being able to lose him, Zelda finally decided to hear what he had to say.

"Princess Zelda, if I were so bold to say that you look lovely today," he uttered.

Zelda knew that he only trying to kiss up to her. Of course, her standard dresses were nearly all the same, he never really saw her in them. Prince Jess may have meant well but Zelda didn't care much for him. She looked around trying to find Link but he was no where to be found. He didn't even show up at breakfast or at her study room to keep his promise. "Thank you, but I really have something to do right now."

"The King did request that you took time to get to know us. Besides, what else does a princess have to do except to be beautiful?" Jess asked.

He was pushing his luck. Zelda smiled half-heartedly, "Preparing to know the ins and outs of politics, prince. Something you obviously have no idea about." Zelda simple left a dumbstruck Jess alone and walked around the corner. She found herself in the training grounds but it wasn't a true mistake. Zelda was still in search of Link. After seeing only the veterans and younger soldiers train and finding no Link, turned to leave.

Zelda found herself staring at the buff chest of her blond interest. She looked up to find Link's eyes and quickly turned around to hide her embarrassment. He was clothed but the thought of his muscular body sent blood right to her face. Link gently touched her shoulder and turned Zelda around.

"What brings you here, Zelda?" Link asked.

Zelda kept her head down, "You said you would keep me company. Those jerks keep trying to hit on me. Where were you?"

"Sorry about that," Link said. He scratched the back of his head and then stared at Zelda. There was the awkward silence again and Zelda coughed, trying to break it.

"At least, you're here now…" Zelda said.

"Yeah, I guess your right," Link said. "I'm ready to do whatever it is you want princess." Link smiled and kneeled, "Your whim is mine."

Zelda laughed. She hit Link playfully, "Stop that! Get on your feet. I need you to keep me safe from the weirdoes inside."

"As you wish," Link said. He rose to his feet and smiled once more. "You're going in now?"

Zelda nodded her head. Link stepped out of her way and, with his arms, let her pass in front of him. Zelda giggled and walked to the castle entrance. Link trotted at her side, the big grin still on his face.

"Mind telling me why you're acting so strangely today," Zelda said. "And where were you?"

Link laughed, "Sorry but its classic. Actually, I took today to work out a little and I guess I lost track of time… Sorry."

"Its okay," Zelda said. "As long as you are with me now."

Link looked down at the ground. He wanted to the princess right then. It seemed like the most perfect opportunity for him. Link opened his mouth but instantly shut it. He had chickened out, like all the other times he tried to tell her. Link questioned why it was so hard for him to tell Zelda how much he loved her. In the end, he never received an answer. Only his mind's silence was the only response to his answer.

The two walked with each other, enjoying each other's company. They entered the castle through the open passageway and entered a dark hall. Zelda managed to keep up with Link's stride and keep her eyes away from him. The princess wanted the chance to finally tell Link that she really did love him. All the talk of marriage and finding a spouse Zelda kept bringing up was a sign that she loved him. But she kid herself, he was a commoner. Handsome as he was, Link probably had a girlfriend in town anyways. Malon always seemed to crush on him.

The two entered the foyer after their travel through the maze-like halls. The foyer was a dark atmospheric room. A picture of the King hung over the fireplace at the north end. Large chairs and couches sat in front of it with a small table near the middle. Zelda sat on one of the chairs and stared at the fireplace. The burgundy rug was soft under her slippers, which left small footprints from where she stood. She looked to Link who simply stood next to her.

"You can sit," Zelda said, motioning to the second chair.

"I rather stand," Link responded. "Zelda, ever wanted to tell somebody something, but you could never do it?"

Zelda knew she related to his question. She didn't want Link to know it though. "No, why?"

"Oh, its just…" Link looked down at his feet. His face grew a deep scarlet. "Zelda… I have to tell you something."

"Link?"

Link swallowed his pride. Each ounce of it he gulped down. He would either tell her then or never tell her at all. He stared at her sapphire eyes. "Zelda… I-I want you to know…"

Zelda couldn't help but sense the impending disappointment that was about to hit her. She could imagine it, the words he was about to tell her.

"Link?"

"Zelda, I love Malon. Do you think she loves me?"

Zelda smiled, "Of course, who wouldn't?"

"Zelda?" Link asked. He snapped her back from her warped reality. Zelda wasn't about to let him say that to her first. "Zelda…"

"I love you…" they both said.

Link and Zelda stared at each other. They were in total disbelief. Zelda rose from her chair and looked away from Link. Link turned his attention to the flames.

Zelda held herself, "You love me?"

Link nodded, "I always did, since when we were young. Zelda…" He turned to her, "What do we do now?"

"I don't know..." Zelda said. For the first time in her life, she had no idea on how to deal with a situation. "Link, my father won't like this."

"Let's see," Link said. "Maybe, he will?"

Zelda shook her head, "I really doubt it."

Link got close to Zelda. He grabbed her from her shoulders, "We can do this Zelda." She refused to look at him and kept her head down. Link gently raised her chin with his left hand and looked deeply into her eyes. "You always said that you wanted to marry for love."

"Link – my father will never understand," Zelda said. "He just wont listen to me. No matter what, he always has his way. There hasn't been a day in my life that he would listen to my opinion. It's always been about him. About his law and rules. What a princes should do. About how unladylike it is to prance around with a warrior."

Link got tired of her ranting and kissed Zelda. She immediately became quiet and accepted the passion filled kiss. She felt his tongue enter her mouth and she returned the favor. The two broke the kiss and looked at each other.

"If we don't try, how do we know what might've happen?" Link asked.

"I'll ask father. Meet me like you did last night," Zelda said.

Link nodded, "Okay Zelda."

( . ) -----------\

Zelda sat at the dinner table once again. The same princes that traveled to Hyrule for Zelda's hand occupied the other seats. With her mind on the goal set, Zelda didn't pay much attention to the princes trying to swoon her. The King, catching her, quietly questioned her.

"Zelda, dear, do you mind telling me what is wrong? Is the food not adequate for you?" her father asked.

Zelda put down her fork, "No, its fine. Father, do I really have to choose one of these smug princes as my husband? Why cannot I marry someone from my own choosing?"

"You can choose from any one of these princes, Zelda. What more do you want?"

"Father, its more than that. What if I fell in love with … I don't know a soldier?" Zelda asked.

"Out of the question. You must marry someone of royalty. It's as simple as that. If you cannot choose by the week's end, than I will choose for you. Maybe that will snap you out of your childish dream," he said. "Love is only in fairy tales and romance novels."

"What about mother? Didn't you love her?" Zelda asked.

"Your mother was a different story. She and I loved each other but she was of a noble class," the King responded. "Choose or I will choose for you."

"I hate this," Zelda said. She took her napkin form her lap and balled it up. Zelda threw it onto the table and stormed out of the dining hall.

The King chuckled nervously. All princes stared at the sudden exit of the princess and began to murmur. "No need to fret, she just a woman after all. I'm sure you all know how one begins to act with a coming arrangement."

Zelda ran to her room, tears streaming from her eyes. She burst through her door and locked it. She collapsed onto her bed and lay face down, crying. She cried by herself, her makeup running onto the silk pillow. The Zelda heard it, the pebble that bounced off her window. Zelda sat up on her bed and wiped her eyes.

Zelda made her way to her window and opened it. She looked down to find Link, waiting patiently. She automatically shook her head and Link looked down to the ground. He brought his optimistic smile up, back to Zelda.

"I want to be with you Link," Zelda said. "No other person can make me happier. You always made me laugh and you always cared for me. But my father wants me to pick one of the suitors. By the end of the week or else he'll pick one."

"Zelda, why don't you just leave? We can just run and never look back," Link said.

The princess thought about it. Her father was never around for her. Link would be with her and that would be all that mattered. "But Link, how are we going to do that?"

"We'll sneak you out. Just stay put till tomorrow. I'll think of something," Link said. "I prepared a few things beforehand. I knew your father would disapprove and… well, maybe I was too forward – It doesn't matter though. You agreed to come…right?"

Zelda gave it more thought. Would she leave everything – especially a tyrant father and "loving" husband – to be with Link? She loved him, but enough to run away from her old life? Zelda bit her lip and then thought about what she was doing. She was copying Link's quirk.

"Link, of course I'll come," Zelda said. "Should I do anything?"

"Maybe tie your hair in a braid tomorrow. Don't worry about clothing; it wouldn't do us any good. If you do want to keep something, keep it light. I'll come back tomorrow night… I love you Zelda," Link said. "Are you sure?"

"Yes Link," Zelda said again. "Please don't do anything reckless."

Link nodded, "I won't."

They heard a piercing shriek from above. They turned to see the same falcon that Link saw the previous night. It flapped its wings rapidly to star a flight.

"Its that falcon again. Why does it hunt at night?" Link questioned. He shifted his eyes to Zelda and marveled at the beauty she possessed in the moonlight. Her eyes sparkled with the stars.

"Link…" Zelda said from above.

"Yes?"

"I can't wait to get out of here."

A/N: So ends. I'm just savoring this before we get to some action.