Chapter 4
That night I found it difficult to sleep, I lay in bed thinking about the events that had unfolded but a few hours ago. Unable to sleep I got up from my bed and walked over the window leading up to my balcony. I stood there gazing up at the night sky, it was a clear night, the stars glittered brightly but not as brightly as the moon, after a few minutes I decided to walk out to the balcony, a decision I soon regretted. The air felt cool, to cool for comfort but nevertheless I stayed and embraced the frigid temperature.
I thought about Sir Arthur, about the King, and about the possibility of war breaking out between Elred and Hyrule, my duty as princess of Hyrule and whether or not I was capable of fulfilling those duties. But I couldn't doubt myself now, no I was determined to be courageous but most importantly I was determined to prove myself to the King.
With this new resolve I turned around and walked back inside my bedroom, where the comfort of my bed called to my now drained body. As I lay back against my pillow I thought about my new Captain of the guard. Who would Sir Arthur bring to act as my protector, with that last thought I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
I woke up a few hours later thanks to the maids giggles; once again a suitor had delivered a token to my quarters. This time however it was not an elaborate arrangement of flowers that adorned the table, but a single flower, an Amaryllis
"Your highness would you like us to dispose of the gift" Amelia curtsied
"No, I will tend to it later, for now could you prepare a hot bath for me please" I said as I looked away from the table
"Yes your highness" Amelia said as she curtsied and began, alongside Julia, to prepare the hot bath
As the maids prepared my bath I walked over to the table and picked up the single amaryllis, it was a beautiful shade of red, as I admired the flower I noticed a small note had been left on the table, I picked up the note and read its contents
My dearest Princess Zelda,
I declare unto you my deepest affections
Bold as that may be I wish not to keep it as secret for it is my deepest desire to have all of Hyrule know of my love for you
With Affection
Lord Emmett
Much to my dismay I felt my face get warm, I had no idea Lord Emmett felt that way about me. We had just but met, however it was refreshing to learn that not all lords were the same.
"your grace , the bath is ready" Julia's voice broke through my trance
I nodded in response and placed the flower back on the table, I then proceeded to wash myself.
The hot water had felt incredibly refreshing; I could feel the tension in my muscles disappear as I soaked my body in the heat of the water. Once I was done washing myself the maids helped me get ready for the day.
As my hair was being pulled and pinned behind my head I thought about how my day would go, would I meet with suitors today? And if so, who would accompany me, as far as I understood Sir Arthur would be preparing for his journey to Aldway, and his replacement would not arrive until late that afternoon.
"All done your highness, is everything to your liking?" Amelia asked
I looked at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes had been lightly dusted with shadows that complemented my cerulean eyes, my lips painted a light pink and my cheeks were dusted with a similar shade. My long blond hair was let loose and curled at the tips, while half of it was braided and pinned in an elegant bun at the back of my head.
The dress I wore today had elaborate designs on the skirt while the top remained fairly simple yet it elegantly complimented the skirt; the dress was a lovely shade of blue.
Content with my reflection I thanked the maids and exited my quarters.
The rest of the day went by uneventfully, Impa cancelled my meetings with the suitors; apparently none of the other knights were trusted to keep me safe, so I spent the day in the library reading. By noon I began to get anxious, after all I was to meet my new guard in a few hours. I wondered who he was; he must be quite skilled if Sir Arthur personally petitioned to have him brought here immediately, unable to concentrate any further I left the library and thought about the bold declaration Lord Emmett had written in his note.
Would I be able to return his affections?
Lord Emmett would make a fine candidate, he was intelligent, sincere, and obviously felt very strongly about me, but still I had my doubts.
What if I couldn't return his feelings, could I really marry him without loving him?
I continued my thoughts as I walked around the castle eventually I found myself heading to the stables, ever since my coming of age ceremony my time was used to entertain noblemen which left very little time to ride my favorite horse.
As I reached the stables I realized they were unusually vacant, normally stable boys and knights circled the area but at this moment the stables were fairly empty, I came up to the front entrance and opened the grand doors and stepped inside.
Once inside I quickly caught sight of the powerful black stallion I named Altair when I was a child
There was another horse however, a horse I believe I had seen before.
She was a beautiful mare, her coat was a brilliant brown yet her mane was white. I stopped in front of the mysterious mare and began caressing her muzzle
"I don't think I've seen you around here, what's your name" I spoke to the mare thinking no one was there with me
"You mean you don't remember" a voice came from behind me
Startled I spun around to see a tall figure standing in the door way, I could not see his face, the suns bright light made it difficult to see
"Who are you" I exclaimed attempting to make out his face, my heart raced at the unexpected interruption
"You really don't remember me Zelda?" He said, amusement in his voice
Who was this man, how dare he approach me so casually.
I stepped away from the brown mare attempting to get a glimpse of him but to no avail, the suns light cast a powerful glare that made it difficult to see.
Slowly he stepped out of the brightness of the sun and came further into the stables; far enough for me to able to see his face
"Link?" I whispered as I stood there wide eyed
I couldn't believe it was Link, he looked…..different.
He let out a chuckle and walked past me, he stopped in front of the mare and began stroking her head
"You see Epona, I told you she wouldn't remember us" he said as he turned to look back at me
The way he looked at me made my heart skip a beat, I was almost sure a blush would be present in my face
"Link is that really you?" I asked still unable to believe it was really him
Link turned back to Epona and continued to stroke her head, after a few moments he walked away from the mare and stood but a few feet from me making my heart beat faster than before
"Well you tell me princess, does it look like me?" he teased as he raised his arms to his side, practically daring me to take a closer look
I eyed him down unable to contain myself, Link had grown up into an extremely handsome man. His blond hair was short but messily styled; his long bangs framed his face, his cobalt blue eyes were as intense as I remembered them to be. He looked strong and he towered over my small frame, yet something was different about him.
"Princess are you quite done eyeing me over?" he teased making me blush instantaneously
I didn't realize I had been staring for so long, I looked away in embarrassment hoping he wouldn't notice my flushed face.
"I simply didn't recognize you without your green attire"
"When we were children you were always wearing that silly green tunic and hat" I said as I waived my hand
That's what seemed off about him, when we were children Link and I used to spend a lot of time together, I would go so far as to say we were childhood sweethearts, but then again I had a serious crush on him back then. Back then Link was always seen running around in a green tunic and matching hat, but now the man in front of me was nowhere near the boy I knew all those years ago.
The man in front of me stood tall and proud, instead of his green hat and tunic, Link wore a beautiful blue jacket and black pants. His boots were polished and his white shirt was clean and pressed; he looked like the lord he was always meant to be.
As I pondered I noticed Link eyeing me up and down, immediately I spun around without really thinking
"What is it that you are looking for my lord?!" I exclaimed, feeling my face grow hotter
"My lord?" he chuckled
I turned and gave him the most unpleasant look I could muster
"Forgive me your highness; I was simply admiring your beauty." He said as he bowed with amusement in his voice
He was clearly teasing me
I turned to face him once again only to find him closer than he was before
"You look beautiful Zelda, I'm happy to see you again after all these years" he was serious now, any sign of banter gone
"Thank you" I managed to say as I looked up at his alluring eyes
Before I could say anything else Link stepped back and offered me his arm
"Shall I escort you back to the castle your highness, a lady has no business being alone in the stables" he said as he smiled
I took his arm and smiled back
"Thank you my Lord" I said
Arm in arm Link and I walked back towards the castle.