Ballroom Blitzkrieg
Link collapsed on the couch in the front room with large gel pack on his left shoulder. He sighed in relief for both the fading pain and the silence. For the past three and a half months he's had a tough time since Aveil moved in. It's not like he doesn't enjoy having her around, it's just that he rarely gets a moment alone. Aveil and Aryil have been going crazy all the time since the start of the year, and with the wrestling season finishing up finishing up he enjoys these peaceful moments while they last.
As Link slips into a comfortable poison the phone starts to ring.
"Ah Fayor." Link says as he reaches over the side of the couch and grabs the phone, "Hello this is the Stonewall house."
"Yo Link, just calling to see how your match went today?" asked Zelda
"Not too bad? We won so Darunia and all of the other gorgon's are heading to the regionals and if all goes well from there, on to the Megaton Titles."
Since the start of the year Ruto and Zelda came over to least once a week, because one of the three of the three occupants would invite them over. But it wasn't about a couple of weeks ago did a weekly dinner became standard.
Every now and again Ms. Ashei will give everyone a free period to do whatever in P.E., and Link and Zelda would hit the mats and spar. During this particular match Link was feeling a little out of sorts, and as a result did something that he would never had done. Zelda did a flying kick and Link figured that he'd tackle her while she was in the air. What really happened was that she was more to his left, so his hand landed on her stomach. Also Link is very careful when using his gorgon strength, but he lost control and sent the princess flying into the schools pool.
The entire gym went dead silent as everyone looked at either Link, who stood frozen in place, or at Zelda, who was treading water.
"Mr. Stonewall, start running laps around the gym!" Shouted Ashei
"How many, Ma'am?" Link asked at attention
"For literally throwing a member of the royal family, till the bell rings." she ordered as she pointed at the wall clock
"Where's Aveil and your sister?" asked Zelda
"I beat them home so I could have a few minutes alone to relax from their jumping around the house."
"How about Ru and I will stop by later and bring some goodies."
"Sounds great." Link said as he licked his lips
Everyone enjoyed Zelda's baked goods, she stinks at large meals but was a great desert maker.
At that moment the side door in the kitchen swung open letting a pair of girls that also inhabited the house. "You might want to triple whatever you're going to make, with how fast Aveil puts food away it'll be gone in ten minutes."
A gym bag was sent flying at Links face
xxXxx
Zelda heard a cry of pain just before she closed he phone.
"Your own fault for making a joke about a woman's eating habits." Zelda thought
"So what are we bringing to celebrate the end of the season for Link?" Ruto said as her message her head tail
"I was thinking of cupcakes with cream in the middle. Aryll and Pipit loved those and the look on her face when she eats them is just precious."
"She's going to be such a looker when she gets older that it's going to be scary." Ruto joked
Zelda's phone started to ring at the moment, she opened it and touched the magic circle, "Hello?"
"Zelda, this is your father."
"Hey Dad, what's up?" Zelda said dropping in her desk chair
"I'm doing very well dear. Now I know how much you hate formal events and getting all dressed up."
"You and most of the nobility."
"True, but you do also know that the Autumn Ball is coming up next week." The king said
"Dad, what are you getting at?"
"Your sister is hosting the ball this year, it's her first time as a host and I know that she'd appreciate you coming."
Zelda squirmed a little at what her father said. She has always admired her sister and respected her independence.
"But Dad I don't have an escort, and I'm not going with any of those noble jerks from the royal academy."
"I figured that you'd say something like." Zelda could just feel her father's grin. "I recently met with Prince Hogarth and we got to talking about how we're both doing and he told me that he has some gredue attending your school. In fact I'm surprised that you neglected to tell me that your friend Link Stonewall is a recognized member of the gredue people."
"Yeah, about that Dad, you see Link isn't the kind of guy to flaunt his achievements."
"I can respect that and I hope that you can respect my wish to have a young man like him escort my daughter and keep her out of trouble. And before you object, I remind you of your sixteenth birthday party." The king said
"Dad I hope you know that you're evil."
xxXxx
Link helped carry the baked goods into the kitchen. Once unburdened Zelda and Ruto paid their respects to Links and Aryll's parents, a custom that they started on their second visit to the Stonewall house. As they did so Link couldn't help but popped opened one of the containers, which held a couple of large éclairs. He knew how good Zelda's éclairs were, and he figured that these goodies were for the end of his season, so he picked one up and began to eat it.
"How is it Link?"
He turned and saw Zelda leaning against the entry way, "Delicious, as usual." He answered after swallowing
"That's good, because I have a favor to ask you if you don't mind."
"Crap." Link thought, "I should've waited before eating."
xxXxx
Link sat warily inside the black sedan that had picked him and Zelda up from the airport. He sat next to the princess while he clutched a long carefully wrapped bundle that had peeked her interest back at the airport. She saw that he brought a bag, that most likely held extra cloths and toiletries, but when he showed half a dozen security guards a piece of paper that involved his wrapped bundle she had started to wonder.
"Hey Link what is that?" she nudged him
"Oh um, it's a surprise that I asked Princess Tetra said that it was okay for me to bring." he answered with a little nervousness
Zelda grinned, "What? You have to tell me." she leaned in closer
"No, like I said this is a surprise. You have to wait till the party tonight." Link said as he clutched tighter onto the wrap
"I'm not usually a fan of surprises, but it seems that I'll just have to wait." she thought
They continued to drive through Castle town up to the palace where the royal family lived. The ball didn't start for another couple of hours, and Link was confused by how Zelda said that there wouldn't be much time for her to get ready. For him he was washed, groomed, and dressed in less than a hour. He unwrapped his bundle to reveal his mother's sword. He drew the blade and examined it in hopes of calming his nerves.
"That's a fine looking blade you have their young man."
Link turned around to see a tall, short haired, blond woman with frightful grey eyes. She wore a sleeveless ballroom gown. The vision before him was giving off an air of intimidation.
"I take it that you are Link Stonewall, my sisters' escort for the evening."
He forced himself to responded, "Yes, Princess Tetra. I'm at your service." He said after a hurried bow
Terta stopped herself from laughing at the poor boy. Instead she stuck out her hand, "May I?"
"Oh yes." Link handed her the weapon
Tetra examined the blade carefully and was thoroughly impressed with it. Unlike the swords that her fellow nobles carried around, this one was made for war, and was seen combat. She knew that it was used, but still was very well taken care of.
"Though it might not matter, I approve of your weapon." she said as she gave the sword back
"My mother would be glad to hear that." Link said with a smile and sheathed his sword "Tell me, Mr. Stonewall, what's your relation to Zelda?" she asked as she thought, "I'm going to have some fun with him."
"What do you mean?" Link asked with a confused expression
"Just as I said, what's your relation towards Zelda? Why are you so willing to help her out on something like this?"
"Well she's a friend and I just wanted to help her out."
"Are you telling me that you'd do the same for Midna or Ruto," she leaned in close enough that she was pressing her body against his, "or perhaps even me?"
The way that she talked and moved started to make Links face turn red, "I um, I ah."
Perhaps the next time we have a ball I should ask you." Tetra then thought, "Now to put him over the edge."
Tetra leaned in close enough that her lips were right against his ear and whispered seductively, "And I'll be sure to show you my deepest gratitude for your service."
That did it for Link, he knew that his face was redder than an apple and he was on the verge of stammering like an idiot.
Then suddenly Tetra stood up strait with a goofy grin on her face and said, "You're a good kid, Link. Zelda's lucky to have a friend like you."
Tetra patted his head and left to greet her arriving guests.
"There is something seriously wrong with that girl." Link thought
He strapped his sword onto his right side so that he would look half way decent with it on.
As he finished he heard someone coming down the stairs to his right and both his eyes and mouth shot open. Zelda stood on the landing, which lead to the living quarters of the family, dressed in a two layer A-line corset gown. The top layer of the dress reached from her left hip and angled down to the hem of the second layer. It, and the corset, was a soft pink color, meant to complement her own features. The second layer, as well as a set of gloves that reached her elbows and a set of off the shoulder straps, was a deep violet.
She wore only a little make up, so that her own natural beauty would be shown more prevalent. From the light red lipstick to the pink blush to her hair, which had been tied into a bun leaving the two usual locks hanging on either side of her face.
She descended the stares and stood in front of Link, who was still gawking at her. She put on a shallow scowl, partly to show how she disapproved of the stupid look he had on his face, but also to hide her slightly red cheeks.
Link was dressed in a single breasted white suit with a black dress shirt, and a green and blue tie. The same color as the ribbons in the two locks of her hair. On his lapel was a pin designed after the grudue emblem. His dirty blond hair was combed back, except for a couple of strands that hung lose in the center of his forehead. She also took note that he was also wearing his mother's sword on his waist.
"Mom was right," she thought, "it's impossible to find a guy that doesn't look good in a suit."
She stood about a foot away from Link before she spoke, "You know, it you leave your mouth open like that any longer then birds might start to nest in there."
Link shook himself back to reality, "What? Oh, um sorry about that Zelda. I guess I was just surprised to see you."
"I tend to have that kind of effect on some people. However I'm not quite finished getting ready yet." She said as she indicated a table with a silver colored tiara
Link stared at it wondering how he could've missed it, but then realized that there are a lot of things that he probably hadn't noticed.
"You're supposed to put it on me." Zelda said after a minute of watching him as he just stood there looking at the platinum head piece
"Oh, right." He said as he carefully placed the tiara on her head
Zelda smiled as he finished placing it, she also took a couple of steps back so that Link can see how well it looked on her.
"You know it's moments like this that reminds me that you're a Princess of Hyrule."
"Well this princess is ready for her escort to take her to the ball."
xxXxx
"Presenting her royal highness, Princess Zelda Hillia Harkaning. Second daughter to the King of Hyrule. And her escort, Mr. Link Stonewall, son of Doctor Johan Stonewall and Sword Sargent Beverly Stonewall." announced the lord chamberlain
Upon hearing the introduction, most everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and looked at the two hylains.
"I feel very uncomfortable." Link whispered to Zelda as they walked down the stairs
"Why's that?"
"The fact that some of the most powerful men and women in the kingdom are here, watching me. That kind of scares me."
"And this coming from a guy who goes toe to toe with gorgons in a wrestling match, or willingly fights gredues with swords."
"That's different, I know the situation and what I'm supposed to do."
Zelda gave a light giggle at Links experience, "Basically your duty as my escort is to defend my honor."
As they reached the bottom a number of nobles approached the couple complementing and questioning them. Link did his best to keep Zelda from feeling overwhelmed by the crowd that had surrounded them. He also masterfully guided her from the stairs towards the center of the room, which caused most of the nobles to leave.
As the mob broke up Zelda leaned in close to Link, "Not bad Mr. Escort."
"Why thank you my princess." Link said with a grin
"Brother Link!" called a strong, young, man
The two turned to see a gerudo man wearing a men's shalwar qameez, with a pair of desert brown boots. The boots and coat were colored black, the pants and undershirt were a sandy brown, and going from his right shoulder to his left hip was a crimson sash with the gerudo emblem stiched in gold. Like the gerudo women, he had the same eye and skin color. His head was adorn with a gold crown with a blood ruby at the center.
The man grabbed Link in a bear hug, lifting him off the ground, "My brother Link."
"Prince Hogarth." Link said as he heard his back start to pop
"Good evening Hogarth." Zelda said calmly, "Could you put my escort down, before you squeeze the life out of him."
Hogarth let go of his captive suddenly, "My apologies, Brother Link. I just got over excited to see."
"That's alright, Prince Hogarth, I think I've gotten used to it by now."
"Good man." Hogarth said as he slapped Link on the back, "And I must say, Brother Link, that you are escorting an angelic young woman tonight, nothing like how you looked at your sixteenth birthday."
Zelda's face flushed red, "Don't you dare tell Link about that night."
"Be at peace, Zelda, I won't utter a thing to him." Hogarth said with a grin. He then wraps his arm around Links shoulder, "I must steel your escort away there's someone who's been very eager to meet you since I first mentioned you."
And just like that Link was dragged away from Zelda, who stood there and watched as the two men disappeared into the crowed. He wondered who Hogarth was taking him to and who could possibly want to meet him here of all places.
As suddenly as he was pulled away he was stopped to come face to back to a graying haired man wearing a simple looking dress suit.
"Here he is, just as I promised." Hogarth said
The man turned around and link went, almost instantly, into a ninety degree angle bow saying, your majesty!"
Hogarth busted up laughing at Links display.
"Stand up young man, you're embarrassing yourself." said the king
"My apologies, Sire. Prince Hogarth didn't prepare me for this encounter." Link said with a scowl in afford mentioned prince
"You're at a royal ball, escorting one of the king's daughters, at the royal palace none the less. You were bound to run into him eventual."
Before Link could respond to Hogarth's comment the king spoke up, "You are the infamous Link Stonewall that has become a secret hero? I must say that I am impressed."
"Impressed?" Link asked hesitantly
"Yes, with all of your accomplishments: as official gerudo, stone brother to the next chief of the goron, savior of Lord Jabu jabu's son, and the Iron Hylain of Skyloft. You have a reputation next to none of your age. Imagine my surprise when Hogarth, and not my dear Zelda, told my about you."
"She's never mentioned me?"
"Not your heroic actions, just who you were and some of your antics. Like that time that you literally threw my baby girl across the gym into the pool." the king said with a grin
Links face went white as a sheet at what the king said.
"Ease up on the boy, you're scaring him." Hogarth said with a laugh, "He is most likely thinking that you're going to execute him now."
Hogarth's assumption was all that far off from what Link was thinking, "Pardon me, your highnesses, while I go and find Princess Zelda." Link said as he hurried away from the two
He made his way through the crowed to where he left Zelda a few minutes prior, to find she wasn't there. He moved towards the refreshment tables, where he would've figured where she'd gone to. He saw that he was right, she was moving away from the buffet with a glass and witnessed something that made his blood boil.
xxXxx
Zelda smiled to herself as she watched Link being pulled away by Hogarth, knowing all too well to whom he was going to return, so she decided to go and get herself a drink.
She found the buffet table and a punch bowl with a kiwi punch inside, her favorite flavor.
As she poured herself a glass she heard someone approach her from behind and speak, "Good evening Princess Zelda."
She stopped and rolled her eyes before she turned around with a smile, "Good evening to you as well, Groose."
The young man that she was addressing was tall with red hair, and looked as though he spent one hour too many in the gym. He had that arrogant "Superior than you" look on his face most of the time, which irritated Zelda to no end. He also wore a black suit with golden pin stripe stitching. He's tie was also gold with a sapphire clasp.
"I must say that I am surprised to see you here."
"Well this is the first official ball that my sister is hosting, so it only made sense that I should come and support her."
"That's very true, you have always been supportive of your family. I must ask, are you here alone?"
The way that he said "alone" caused Zelda to feel sick, but was able to hold it in as she answered, "No, Groose, I am here with a very capable escort."
"And where is he, why has he left such a vision of beauty unattended?" Groose said with a very distasteful grin
Girding her teeth, "Prince Hogarth swooped in and took him away. They are most likely speaking with my father."
"I see. Is he what everyone says he is?"
"And what do 'they' say he is?" Zelda asked with a fake smile
"A peasant, of course." Groose said with a degree of disgust
Zelda sis her best not to strike him as she spoke, "Yes, it is true that Link is not a noble, but he is a very good friend to Ruto and me."
Groose took a few steps closer as he spoke, "Perhaps I should stay with you till this Link returns. I mean some of the nobles here can be quite fresh when they drink too much."
That was it, the increase of his proximity and the underlying comments about Link was the last straw, "Pardon me Groose, but I must return to where I left Link and wait for his return. I'll be fine there on my own."
She turned to walk away, and as her back was facing Groose she felt something on her butt. It only lasted a moment but it was certainly Groose grasping her and taking a little squeeze at her backside.
She clenched her free hand into a fist and turned to strike him, instead she saw that someone had literally beat her to the punch.
xxXxx
Link had arrived just as he saw Groose remove his hand from Zelda, and without thinking reacted with a well-placed fist into the offenders face. The strike sent Groose careening into, and over, the desert section of the buffet table that was behind him.
At the sound of him crashing to the ground the entire ballroom seemed to stop what they were doing and looked at the incident in amazed silence.
Zelda moved to Links side, "Link what are…" she stopped midsentence when she saw his eyes. They were normally a kind blue, but now they were a piercing ice cold. The cold furry that were shooting from them made Zelda very frightened.
"What was that for and who the hell are you?!" bellowed a bloody nose Groose as he stood up
"I am Link Stonewall, Princess Zelda's escort for the night. And as for why I hit you, you know full well why. I saw you touching her highness in an inappropriate manner."
Groose stomped up to Link and grabbed him by the collar, "How dare you make such an accusation after assaulting a noble, you peasant filth."
"Unhand my brother this instant, Groose!"
Groose turned to look at the much taller, and far stronger, gerudo prince, "He attacked me without cause."
"Link would do no such thing." Zelda spoke
"I will vouch for his character. He would not make such an offence unless he felt that it was necessary." Hogarth stated
"Why are you even defending this… commoner?"
Hogarth stepped up and with a single fluid move broke Groose's hold and blocked his view of Link, "Because as I said, he is my brother. Duly recognized by all of the gerudo tribes, both he and his sister are adopted members of my people."
He felt the pressure being put on him by the mere presence of the gerudo prince, as well as that of the other nobles, and decided to do something drastic, "I challenge." Groose said in a thrusting motion towards Link
"What?!" a confused Link asked
"Apparently it's my word against yours. Also I deserve satisfaction for being humiliated in the presence of my peers."
xxXxx
"Are duels still legal?" Link asked while Hogarth fixed some body armor to the young hero
Link unknowingly agreed to the challenge and it was decided that the weapons of choice that were to be used for the duel would be swords. And even though an enchantment was placed on the blades by Zelda to prevent the two fighters from getting hurt, body armor was still required.
"You ask this now, after you're getting ready to fight someone?" Zelda said more than asked
"The though just came to me all of a sudden."
Hogarth slapped Link on the shoulder, indicating that he was done, and said, "Duels are still permitted, with some conditions. There needs to be a judge present, the weapons cannot kill or do any major harm, and body armor must be worn by both participants."
"Are you read peasant?" Groose called towards Link
The duel was set just outside of the ballroom, on a large patch of grass. Groose wielded an elaborate rapier style sword with an open guard. Link drew his own blade, a standard twenty-eight inch short sword with the family name inscribed on the blade in ancient hylain.
Stepping forward Link responded, "As ready as I think I'm going to be."
A circle was made out of the crowd, creating the arena that the two young men were going to be battling. The whole party seemed to have come outside to witness the event and be entertained.
"Prepare yourself, peasant. I'm captain of the fencing team at the royal academy, and I've also been taught by some of the best swordsmen in the kingdom." Groose boasted as he swished his blade from side to side
"Good for you." Link replied
Groose made the first move by luging strait at Link with rapid speed, Link waited till the last second then side stepped and brought his sword down hard on the part of the rapier above the guard. The force of the strike was strong enough to not only knock the weapon out of his opponents hand, but also sent Groose off balance making him fall face first into the ground. The sight caused many of those that have gathered to laugh, making Groose angry.
"You're going to pay for that."
Link kicked the rapier up into his free hand and tossed it over at the young noble as he spoke, "We'll see."
Over the course of their duel Groose had fallen several times on either his face or on his butt. His final strike was another thrust with his sword at Links heart. Link twisted slightly and thrust his sword into one of the many gaps of the rapier's guards and jerked his up. The move tore the sword from Groose hand, and allowed his to move up towards the young noble's neck.
Link's sword point pressed lightly into his foes neck as he spoke, "Know this, Princess Zelda is now a dear friend of mine, and I am very protective of my friends. So if you try anything like what you did earlier, I will make you regret it."
With that being said Link dropped the rapier on the ground and sheathed his own sword as he made his way to the royal family. He knelt before Tetra, "My most sincere apologies, princess, however I could not let that young man's actions go unpunished."
Tetra had a grin plastered on her face since the start of the fight, and was highly impressed with her sister's escort.
"Worry not, Mr. Stonewall. You have made my first ball one to be remembered."