Hello! I'm glad to finally have an update! Thank you to my reviewers from chapter three- Bolmung; Sakurelle; pinguinolatino; and Hououza.

Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of the Legend of Zelda series.

Link's POV

Cort awoke me at 1:55 in the morning, five minutes before my watch started. I got up and stretched, and my diary fell out of my pocket. I quickly picked it up and put it back, hoping he hadn't noticed. Apparently he didn't, for he handed me his lantern, then began to fix up the makeshift bed, preparing to go to sleep.

I spent the next three hours walking around the ship, keeping watch. I was relieved that nothing out of the ordinary happened, but I guess I didn't expect things to be that, well...dull. My shift was so uneventful that I didn't sit down for more than a minute at a time, fearing I would fall asleep.

When 5:00 arrived, the crew began to stir. The captain was first out of his cabin, followed by the first and second mate. Once the deckhands emerged, I was dismissed and permitted to retire for a few hours to get some more sleep.

Since Chriselda was staying in the cabin Cort and I shared, and Cort was still sleeping in the makeshift bed, I simply sank down into a chair, too tired to be picky. As I drifted off to sleep, I heard Zelda's voice in my head.

Link?

Yes, Zelda?

I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour, but I can't sleep, and I don't have to get up for another hour. I'm just too excited about today.

Today?

Yes. Remember I told you how some potential suitors will be coming to the castle? Well, a seamstress will be coming here from town this morning to fit me with a ball gown. I'm so happy, Link. Not to sound vain, but I just know that I'm going to look beautiful.

You always look beautiful, Zelda.

Really?

Of course.

Thank you. How was your night?

Uneventful. I was bored out of my mind, but at least everything seems alright. Nothing suspicious going on, or so it seems right now, anyway.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

I just wish you could be here with me, Link. You know, to protect me. I mean, I haven't seen the young men coming here in years, if I've even met them at all. And, well...you know how males our age can be.

I had to smile at that, as I was on a ship with several of them. Don't worry, Zelda. If any of them tries to pressure you into anything, just kick them where it really hurts.

Will do, Link, I heard her chuckle. But I still wish you could be here. It's just not the same without you. I miss you so much already.

I miss you, too, Zelda. But you and I both have responsibilities.

I just wish it didn't have to be this way.

I do, too, but my job is to protect you, is it not? I have to get rid of the latest threat, before things get worse.

I know, Link. It's just...Oh, Link, I have to go. I'm sorry.

It's alright, Zelda. We can talk later, okay?

Okay. Thank you.

You're welcome. Make sure to tell me how everything goes with the suitors.

Of course. Bye, Link.

Bye, Zel.

Wow, I liked the sound of that. Zel. But a moment later, I started to fret. What if she took it the wrong way? What if she things I'm being too pushy by shortening her name like that? It's not like I'm her lover or something. Although I wish I was...No! I mustn't think like that! She is the princess, and a friend! But she's beautiful, and nice, and kind, and caring...I really need to concentrate on my work, before I get into trouble.

Zelda's POV

I smiled to myself at the simple little nickname Link had given me. Zel. I'd have to make sure he used that more often. Of course I'll never, ever let anyone else call me that. And if anyone else ever tries to use it, I'll pretend I don't like it.

Wait a minute...why I am I getting so excited about a nickname? It's not like Link's courting me or anything...

I sighed as my thoughts trailed off. The truth of the matter is, deep down inside me, I think I really want Link to court me. Yet he's on the sea, on his way into the jaws of evil to save the kingdom, and I'm inviting suitors over while he's gone. Then again, it's not like we're married, or even engaged.

I'm just so confused right now. My father was encouraging me to see Link as more than a friend and protector, and I was so resistant. But now, the idea seems so fitting.

The problem is, I guess I'm just not ready to admit what I know is in my heart. That I like Link. A lot. And maybe, just maybe, I even love him. Not just as a friend, but something more. Much more. Like the kind of man I could marry, and rule beside once I become queen.

Yet to think that of him seems so rushed. Realistically, he is on his way to the other side of the kingdom right now, and isn't expected back for weeks, at the earliest. And my suitors are on their way to the castle, to seek my hand in marriage. So, really, how practical is it for me to think of myself as married to Link, when I don't even know when I'll see him again?

On the other hand, I think my father was right in saying I should consider marrying him. Not to mention that I really want to...

There's no use in denying it any longer. I love Link. I love him with all than is in me, and I want nothing more at this moment than to take him in my arms, and kiss him, and confess to him my feelings. And for him to tell me he loves me, and ask me to be his wife.

How could I have not admitted this to myself for this long? I feel a sort of freedom, finally owning up to my true feelings. Yet I feel so restricted, having asked my father to invite so many young men to the castle to court me. And they'll be here tonight.

As I continued to ponder my dilemma, there was a soft knock at the door.

"Come in," I called.

Impa entered, followed by the seamstress. I didn't realize how quickly the last hour had passed!

The seamstress spent the next several minutes taking various measurements and writing them down. Once that was done, she went into the hallway. She returned after a moment, followed by two servants carrying a massive trunk.

They set it down near the bed, and she opened it and removed three dresses, laying them out on the bed. One was red, with short, puff sleeves and a scoop neck. Another was blue, with elbow-length sleeves and a v-neck. The third was green, with narrow sleeves that barely covered my shoulder and a square neck. All three had bodices that laced in the back and ankle-length, full skirts.

After much contemplation, I finally settled on the blue dress. The seamstress helped me into it, then marked where she would alter it to fit my body. Once that was done, she helped me back out of the dress and took it with her to begin the alterations, instructing the servants to put the other two dresses back in the trunk carefully, then carry it out of the room.

I dressed and went downstairs to eat a light breakfast, too nervous to be particularly hungry. After I finished eating, I went upstairs to write in my diary. I had to let out my feelings for Link, but I feared that thinking about them too much would somehow cause him to find out through our telepathic connection. But since writing helps clear my head, perhaps if I put down my thoughts, I wouldn't dwell on them so much.

Dear Diary,

The suitors will soon be here, and I'm very nervous. Not in the way I thought I would be, but because I finally admitted my true feelings for Link to myself. I know now that I see him as much more than just a friend. And I dare say I can even picture us getting married.

The problem is, now I have to figure out what to do about all the fine young men coming to the castle to marry me. After all the preparations, I can't very well just dismiss them all. Perhaps it'd be best just to go on as if I have no loving feelings for Link; as painful as I know it will be, I know not when I will see him again, and I must be realistic and acknowledge that the feelings I have for him may not be reciprocated.

And even if they are reciprocated, and my father allows us to marry, it would cause such scandal. Imagine, a princess marrying a peasant! Because that's how people see Link, no matter how many times he protects me and my father. The very thought of him becoming royalty makes perfect sense to me, but I fear my subjects may think quite differently.

Yet I love him so...

I sighed as I closed the book and put the quill back in the ink jar. I need to get my mind off Link.

I went down to the library and engrossed myself in some history books. Before I knew it, two hours had passed, and Impa was standing over me with her hands on her hips.

"Princess, you must get ready for this evening. I know it is only late morning, but there is much to be done. The seamstress has already completed the alteration, and needs to re-fit you with your dress to make sure everything's in order."

I closed the book and got up, placing it back on the shelf. Then I followed Impa out of the library and up to my room.

I tried on the dress once again, and it fit beautifully. I was actually starting to get excited about the evening, and I had managed to push my thoughts about Link to the back of my mind.

After lunch, I began the painstaking process of getting ready for the evening. After I bathed, Impa immediately twirled my hair around strips of fabric and tied it up to make it curly. My hair was so tangled that it took her nearly half an hour just to comb through it.

Once my hair was up, I had to put on my petticoat and my corset. The servant girl helping me dress tied the corset so tight I could hardly breathe. Impa scolded her, making me think that meant she agreed that it needed to be loosened. Was I ever wrong.

Impa stepped behind me and told me to take a deep breath and hold it. Once I did, she quickly untied the laces, then pulled them even tighter before tying them back up. I let go of the breath and gasped for air. The corset forced me to make my chest rise instead of my stomach, causing me to take several quick, shallow breaths until I adjusted.

The dress soon followed, the snug bodice making the corset feel even more constricting. Once it was on, Impa sat me at the vanity, and began to do my makeup. As she powdered my face, a little cloud of the substance formed, causing me to cough. I fanned it away with my hand, and sat there without further incident until Impa was finished.

I arose from the chair, and Impa brushed the wrinkles out of the dress skirt. I walked to the full-length mirror, admiring my reflection. As usual, I had despised the process, but was quite pleased with the results. If only Link could see me...

No. I am not to think about him now. I know my duty, and it is to welcome the young men that have come to the castle. And, should I take a liking to any of them, accept their offer of courtship, and eventually accept the proposal of one of them.

And I know that will happen, even if they don't like me. I can say this for sure because if I do not find a husband for myself, the decision is left up to my father. I am fortunate that I was not betrothed as a child, as my father abolished the tradition soon after becoming king.

There was a knock at the door. Impa opened it, and my father to entered. She and the servants bowed to him, before bidding the both of us good-bye and excusing themselves to the kitchen.

"You look lovely, dearest," my father smiled warmly at me. I allowed him to take my arm and guide me out of my room, on our way downstairs to meet up with the suitors.

Well, here's hoping for the best, I mused, drawing a deep breath as we began our descent.

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