After the tabloid incident that followed their first date, Link thought he was starting to get used to the differences in his life caused by being in a relationship with the princess of Hyrule. Like random people recognizing him because of a magazine picture, and reporters calling him and asking for interviews. Of course, he just ignored all of these occurrences, but there were some strange things he was beginning to learn that came like baggage to his new relationship.

Zelda and Link had been walking across campus, talking idly about the upcoming holidays, when a chilling voice sounded in his ear.

"Watch where your hands are, punk."

Link immediately threw his hands up in the air as his mind froze in fear. How did the voice know he was subtly trying to snake his arm around Zelda's waist as they walked? A sharp peel of laughter broke his train of thought.

"Keira, was that really necessary?" Link heard Zelda ask. He turned to look at his girlfriend only to find her attention directed behind him. He followed her gaze.

Standing behind the couple was a tall woman with hair so blonde it almost looked white. She wore a black leather jacket and dark washed skinny jeans with board shoes. Her pointed ears were adorned with many red loops that sparkled like rubies in the sun, and her hair was cut in an uneven pixie bob with the left side hanging long enough to touch her shoulder. But Link was distracted from all of this by her blood red eyes which seemed to stare maliciously at him despite the laughing smile on the woman's face.

"Yes, it really was necessary," the woman, Keira, Link guessed her name was, smiled even wider. "Did you even notice where his hands were heading?"

Zelda's face reddened. Link raised his hands further in the air.

"You and Dover are worse, and you know it," Zelda tried to halfheartedly bite back.

"Yes, I do," Keira laughed again. "But you can't blame me for sneaking up on your man; it's in my nature. And his face was priceless."

Zelda suddenly seemed to remember her manners, "Oh sorry Link, I should formally introduce you. This is Keira Noriko. She is a junior kinesiology major and one of my good childhood friends."

Link shook Keira's hand as Zelda introduced her to him, but inwardly his mind was whirling. Zelda had told him a lot about herself, but he had never once heard about a good childhood friend named Keira. In fact, he distinctly remembered Zelda saying that the closest person she had considered a friend growing up had been Princess Hilda of Lorule.

Keira's gaze caught Link, pulling him from his thoughts. Her blood red eyes stared daggers into his electric blue ones. There was a fierce protectiveness blazing in those red eyes, and Link could clearly hear their silent promise: "If you hurt her, I will come after you." Needless to say, Link was chilled to the bone.

"Anyway it was nice seeing you, Zel," Keira finished as she finally looked away from Link. "We need to get lunch sometime now that you're away from the castle."

"Alright," Zelda waved as Keira began to walk away. "I'll see you later."

Keira responded with a small wave and a peace sign before leaving.

"So Link, do you think you could help me with my math homework?" Zelda asked as they started walking again. "The final is only in a couple of weeks, so I want to make sure I understand everything correctly."

"Zelda, who was that girl?" Link asked instead of answering. "I mean really, you've never mentioned her before, but she's a good childhood friend of yours?"

Zelda sighed, "I say that, but the truth is a little more complicated."

"Will you tell me?" he asked.

"Will you help me with my math homework?" she countered with a teasing smile.

"Sure."

They reached Zelda's small studio apartment after stopping for Zoran take out. Link helped Zelda with her math homework while they ate their sushi, but he was patiently waiting for her to explain the whole 'Keira incident.' After what seemed like forever to Link's insatiable curiosity, Zelda finally turned off her laptop and threw away the take out containers.

"So you really want to know about my relationship with Keira?" Zelda asked as she lazily pulled her long blonde hair up into a messy bun.

"Is it really that big of a deal for you to keep it a secret?" Link asked, his thought chasing themselves around his brain wondering what the truth was.

"Actually, it is," Zelda sighed as she leaned against the counter. "You see Keira is a Sheikah."

"What?" Link asked, his eyes bugging out of his head. "You mean the 'insane killer assassin tribe of warriors that can use magic' Sheikah? I thought they were, like, some crazy urban legend."

"That's just what they want you to think," Zelda laughed at her boyfriend's reaction.

Link screwed his face up in thought, "But I thought they were extinct or something. Died out in the Hyrulean wars, like, a thousand years ago."

"Again that's just what they want you to think," Zelda turned to gaze longingly at her fridge. "Do you want some ice cream?"

Link shook his head, eager to get more answers out of his girlfriend.

Zelda began explaining as she grabbed a mug and an ice cream scoop from her cabinet, "The Sheikah were almost wiped out in the Hyrulean wars of past ages, but they survived by interbreeding with Hylians. As a result, they lost some of their prowess as a race, but they could intermingle better in the population."

"And why is it better for them to intermingle in the population?" Link asked as Zelda gave herself a nice helping of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

"You did happen to notice that Keira had red eyes, yes?" Zelda threw him an exasperated look as she drowned her ice cream in chocolate syrup. "Red eyes was a trademark of the Sheikah race, but now she's one of the few that has them. It's really rare for a Sheikah to have red eyes nowadays. Her boyfriend, who is also a Sheikah, only has brown eyes."

"So Keira is a Sheikah, which is not an extinct race of killer assassins," Link summed up. "But what's her relationship to you?"

"Now this is the part where I need to ask you to never reveal this information to anyone ever," Zelda skewered him with a serious gaze that was somewhat undermined by her pointing her ice cream filled spoon in his direction. Link nodded.

"Have you never wondered why I don't have some sort of guard following me around all the time?" Zelda asked him, though Link could tell these questions were more hypothetical than anything. "Or even why my father would let me live alone in an apartment when I could be safe at the castle?"

Link just shook his head.

"It's because Keira is my guard," Zelda explained. "Though she likes to use the term protector, but that's the old term for it." Zelda paused to take a bite of ice cream. "You see what no one knows about the Sheikah is that they are devoutly loyal to the royal family of Hyrule, so much so that they would sacrifice their lives to protect me and my family. The Sheikah have been the personal bodyguards of the House of Hyrule since its beginnings when the monarchy was established, and legend has it that they've been around since the goddess Hylia walked the earth."

"Wow," was all Link could say. "So Keira watches over you and keeps you safe. That explains her death glare."

Zelda gave him a reproachful look, "She was just trying to protect me. Keira's almost like my older sister, so she takes it upon herself to protect me from emotional harm as well."

"So she's like your older sister?" Link smiled. He could just picture a younger Zelda getting dragged into all sorts of crazy shenanigans by a rebellious, preteen Keira at the castle. "What's she like?"

"Keira likes to tease, and she was really head-strong and opinionated when we were younger," Zelda took another bite of ice cream. "She still is really but being with Dover has really toned down that side of her. You would like Dover; I think. He's a senior biology major, so you'd have a lot in common."

Link just nodded as the reality of the conversation sank in. His girlfriend had a personal body guard who could most likely kick his ass into the next century. Great.

Zelda giggled at his subtle change in expression, "The shock settling in?"

Link nodded mutely.

"Don't worry," Zelda smiled as she finished off her ice cream. "It's not like I'm under twenty-four hour surveillance. I do get private time. Keira just keeps close when I'm out in public, so I don't want you to freak out if we're out somewhere and you see her."

"Oh," Link started to trace through his memories of dates with Zelda to see if he remembered seeing a white-haired, red-eyed woman.

"She's very skilled at sneaking around undetected though," Zelda said as she placed her mug and spoon in the dishwasher. "You would most likely never notice she was there."

"So, she was there on all of our dates?" Link asked nervously. His hands were getting sweaty, though he didn't know why.

"No, not all of them," Zelda said. "I know for a fact that she has a class during lunch on Thursdays, so she is never at Wheaton and Pita's."

Link began to calm down a little.

"Sheik is usually the one there," Zelda continued. "Though every now and then I see Dover. I assume Sheik is just busy those days."

Link placed his head in his hands. He didn't know why he was so freaked out by this knowledge. It was perfectly logical that Zelda, as the crown princess of Hyrule, would have a bodyguard that watched over her in public. The fact that he had never considered that Zelda had some kind of protector was carelessly stupid on his part. Obviously she would have a bodyguard. But why was he losing his cool over something he should have obviously known? His mind was running in circles; Link could feel a headache coming on.

"I'm sorry I kind of dumped this all on you so quickly," Zelda said sweetly. Link felt her hand brush up his arm and circle around his wrist. "But you had to be told sooner or later, and with something like this sooner is better." Her other hand grabbed ahold of his other wrist, and she lightly tugged on his arms. Link looked up at Zelda with questioning eyes.

"You know, they all like you," she smiled at him. "Well I guess approve of would be a better term. Impa doesn't exactly show favor for anyone, but I could have sworn she smiled when I told her how you came into our first poly-sci class."

Link let out a sigh; that had settled some of his worries, "So they don't see me as a threat or something?"

"No, of course not," Zelda's face morphed into one of concern. "Why would you think that? I've told them everything about you, and they know I trust you. So they in turn will trust you unless you give them a reason not to."

"Well here's hoping I don't screw up and make your killer assassin bodyguards hate me," Link grumbled, threw his head back, and began massaging his scalp.

"Link, they aren't killer assassins," Zelda rolled her eyes. "Anymore."

Link nearly fell out of his chair.


Despite her many reassurances, Zelda couldn't get Link to calm down about the whole Sheikah bodyguard issue. For the life of her, she couldn't understand what his problem was. Was it the fear that he might do something perceived as wrong and get 'taken out' by one of the Sheikah? Or could it just be general fear over being watched while he was with her? Link did have some authority issues. After about a week of Link treating her like a glass doll for whatever reason, she had enough.

"For the love of Nayru, Link, would you stop with the careful attitude?" she asked as they walked to Wheaton and Pita's Bakery for their usual Thursday lunch date. "I don't mean this in a bad way, but it really doesn't suit you."

"I'm sorry," he nervously ran his hands through his green streaked bangs. "I just don't want to do anything wrong. Like, what if someone is watching?"

"Link, I am the crown princess of Hyrule," Zelda rolled her eyes. "Someone is always watching, even if it's not a Sheikah." She whispered the last part.

"I know, but," Link paused as they crossed the street. "For some reason your secret bodyguards freak me out. What if they beat me up 'cause I made a wrong move on you?"

"They wouldn't hurt you, Link," Zelda smiled sweetly. "If you made any unwanted advances on me, I would be the one beating you up."

Link whipped his head around to look at her.

"I can take care of myself."

"I don't doubt that," Link muttered as he pulled the door of the bakery open for his girlfriend.

They stood in line silently. Zelda mulled over this new information. So Link was concerned about being perceived wrongly by the Sheikah. Well, he did only know what little information circulated about the race as an urban legend. And Keira didn't give much of a different first impression. Maybe if he met another Sheikah, one of the guys, he would feel more at ease. Zelda glanced subtly around the bakery. Sitting at a small table by the window were Sheik and Dover, talking quietly over coffee. Perfect. She would drag Link over to sit with the Sheikah and force him to get over his irrational fear. She took another quick glance at Sheik, who was wearing his usual muffler that nearly covered the bottom half of his face. Maybe Link's fear wasn't entirely irrational.

Link ordered their usual lunch, while Zelda went to fill their usual drinks. But as Link began to walk to their usual corner booth, Zelda grabbed his arm and steered him toward the table by the window.

"Zelda, there are already people sitting there," Link whispered nervously.

"I know," she smiled. "I want you to meet them."

Link's face paled, "Are they-?"

"Yes," she smiled as she reached the table. The Sheikah looked up at her with raised eyebrows. "Link, this is Sheik and Dover." She gestured to the blond then to the black-haired man sitting in front of them. "Guys, this is Link."

Sheik, ever the gentleman, stood and held out his hand, "Nice to finally meet you, Link. I'm not lying when I say you are all Zelda talks about anymore."

"Sheik!" Zelda exclaimed, her face turning red.

"Really?" Link laughed nervously. He ran his fingers through his bangs.

"'Dover, Link is a biology major, too. You should meet him,'" Dover mimicked in a high pitched, girly voice.

"'Sheik, you won't believe this. Some guy rode his longboard into my first class,'" Sheik huffed in a similar whiny voice as he sat back down.

"'Dover, Kiera almost attacked Link for no reason,'" Dover crossed his arms and put on a pouty face exactly like the one Zelda was currently wearing.

"'Sheik, I get to go to the Indigo-Go's concert next week with Link,'" Sheik began to make shrill fangirling noises that made Link laugh. "'You know he plays guitar. Maybe I should take him backstage to meet Mikau.'"

"I do not sound like that," Zelda huffed, proving that the boys were spot on in their impressions.

Link had sat down next to Dover by the time the boys were finished with their teasing, "Wow, does she really talk about me that much?"

"Yes," both of the Sheikah deadpanned. Zelda just huffed again and sat down rigidly next to Sheik.

For the next hour and a half, Zelda sat in silence just listening to Link talk with the Sheikah. She was right in thinking meeting some of the boys would improve his image of the Sheikah and help his fear somewhat. Link was talking with Sheik and Dover as if he had known them since grade school. He talked with Dover about bio classes and which professor was the best to take for Bio 102 and different things about guitars that Zelda didn't even understand. Sheik brought up different longboard brands and got into a hefty argument with Link about which brand was the best.

Eventually, Link had to leave for his afternoon class, and Dover offered his number for Link to call "whenever he needed anything."

"Thanks, man," Link said with a crooked smile. "It was great meeting you guys. I'll see you around." He waved as he left.

Zelda waited until the door closed behind him before turning to the Sheikah, "So you liked him right? He's pretty great, huh?"

"Yeah," Dover nodded. "He's very nice."

"Totally the opposite of who I thought you would date," Sheik said, his eyes crinkled with an unseen smile. "So I like him."

"Don't tell me you thought I'd end up with some pre-med, prep school douche like those tabloids think," Zelda rolled her eyes as she sipped at her tea. "It's a little upsetting that I give off that impression."

"Well you always put other's first," Sheik explain. "We-" Dover shot him a glare. "Fine, I though you would pick a guy that would make a good image for the country or something and settle after you found someone who fit. But I'm glad you found someone who can make you happy."

Zelda felt her cheeks redden in embarrassment, and she took another sip of tea to hide her small smile. Her bodyguards knew her so well, almost better than she knew herself.

"That might have been the case if Hyrule was still an absolute monarchy," she said. "But the rules are different now. Though I think it's still too soon to be thinking about marriage. I'm only eighteen."

Dover gave her a small smile, "Oh and we're sorry about the teasing early on. We thought it would help Link be more comfortable if you were more flustered than him."

"Why does it not surprise me that you knew?" Zelda laughed.

"Keira noticed his change in attitude after meeting her," Dover shrugged. "So we figured you would introduce him to us sooner or later."

"Is that why both of you are here?" Zelda raised her eyebrow.

Dover started to laugh while Sheik glared daggers at him.

"I had training scheduled, but it fell though at the last minute," Sheik started, but Dover cut him off.

"His date stood him up."

"She did not," Zelda could almost see Sheik sticking his tongue out at the other Sheikah. "She just cancelled so I thought I'd come here instead."

Zelda started laughing along with Dover, "Still trying to find the one?"

"Well some of us aren't lucky enough to just meet our significant other by chance," Sheik crossed his arms and a disgruntled expression came across his face.

Zelda thought for a moment before asking, "How do you feel about redheads?"