A/N- Here's seven! I hope you enjoy! A part of it inspired by the hippogryph scene in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Maybe a bit cliched this chapter, but as long as it's good, that's all that matters! :)

"Someone still loves you..."

-Radio Gaga, Queen

Link's POV, January 12th

I was severely worried. King Harkinian hadn't put any notice up or made any public announcement that there was a change of the rules. I hadn't seen Zelda for five days, and I was concerned about her. To make matters worse, Johnathan hadn't gone, he'd only hid in the shadows for a few days. My birthday went and passed unnoticed, besides a good kiss from Zel. My morning was not off to a great start, either. I hit my head on my headboard, I burnt my breakfast, and I happened to have an awful crick in my upper left back. A blaring siren sounded throughout town, throughout everywhere, and I dashed to my balcony in a blue robe and soft brown hose.

"His Majesty, King Harkinian, has requested a gathering in Hyrule Castle's courtyard at strictly 11:00 o'clock A.M. this morning. Be there, or don't come. Thank you."

My morning just got a whole lot better. I forgot about my head, my back, and even my burnt bacon, and quickly dressed in my traditional heroes' garb with a creme cloak and took the steps downstairs two at a time.

I made it there with two minutes to spare, so I situated myself in the best position possible.

A royal fanfare blared, everyone seemed to come out from hiding, and King Harkinian strolled out, a mischievous glint in his old eyes.

"My friends," he spoke. "We are gathered here today because a valiant young man made a very skeptical request to me. But it did grow on me, and I trust him. Here's the new law: anyone the princess may choose to court she can. If she wants to, she can. Now, I'm sure you'll all be searching for her, but she is subject to bed rest due to recent stress in her life. Thank you, and may your days ever be great."

My heart was in my throat. Zelda? Bed rest? Me, her, courting each other?! It was all too surreal.

I needed to do something, anything.

I ran to the stables and grabbed Epona. I whispered in jer ear. "Guess what girl? Link's gonna have himself a princess!"

She neighed as if she understood.

Epona galloped through the sullen Hyrule fields with a grace unmatched by anything else, besides Zelda.

I lifted my hands off the reigns, and I shouted at the top of my lungs, "Freedom!" I whooped and hollered, feeling nothing but an untamed joy that I had a feeling maybe would never be replicated.

I slowed Epona down as we got close to Hyrule Castle Town. Nobody needed to know I was a bit... insane right now.

I put away my horse, and at the right time, too. Someone came running in.

"Sir Link! The princess is making a public announcement! Come quickly!"

I patted Epona's side firmly and said, "Good girl," before leaving exuberantly.

"My people," she was saying. "Some of you may have heard that anyone who would like to could court me now. I ask of you to think about this, however. Would I accept a request from someone I hardly even knew? I really do love you all, but please take that into account. I want to wish Link a late happy birthday wherever you are, I'm sorry I got sick." She was wishing me a happy birthday in front of everyone? "I seem to be recovered, though, so perhaps we'll have to catch up later. Finally, I want to say this, since my father's not here. He's not doing the best in his health condition, and I'm going to need each and every one of you to help him keep his spirits up because I can't become queen until I have a fiancee, and my father is a great person, so he can't pass away. At least, not yet. Thanks." She finished, every person's eyes on her. Silence could be heard all across Hyrule.

This was my time, I knew. I started shouldering people aside, making my way to where Zelda was exiting off her stage. "Wait!" I shouted. "Wait." My hat had fallen off, but I didn't care. I ran on the stage, and slid over to Zel on my knees, clasping my hands as I went. "We're something special; you have to know that." I was addressing her, not the crowd, and I became oblivious to them. "Will you please give me a chance? The Hero of Twilight, Link Greene, he wants to court you, but he needs your permission. Please?" I cajoled breathlessly.

She surveyed me. "Stand up, Link."

I stood up.

She addressed the crowd. "I have a peculiar sense of deja vu, don't you all?"

She turned back to a now-standing me. "That's better!" She said fondly. "Now I can do this and look like less of a fool." She promptly gave me the best kiss of my life –so far.

I felt there would be a lot more kissing in my future than I first anticipated.

It took my breath away. I was amazed. I pulled back and looked her in the eyes. I was dizzy.

"You really mean it, don't you?"

"Yeah," she chuckled. "Yeah, I do."

I finally took in the people cheering for us, the people yelling our names. They wanted this. They didn't want the princess for themselves: they wanted the princess to be for me.

I faced the Hyruleans, grinning like an idiot, and all I could do was stand there.

"Well," Zelda smiled. "That was that. Let's try this again, this time with no sexy distractions. Thanks for coming out here to listen to me blather on about things you all probably already thought! Good day to you all!"

I grabbed Zelda's hand and ran towards the castle, hoping to punish her for being so bad and calling me sexy in front of everyone.

We ended up in a broom closet.

"You bad, bad girl. Now I'll have to scold you for being a naughty, naughty princess and calling me sexy in front of everyone. Not just anyone can get away with that."

I didn't waste time.

I trapped Zel on a wall, my hands on the stone next to her head, hers knotted in my hair again. I kissed her ardently, knowing if I dared to go any farther, she's stop me, and it would ruin the mood.

I allowed Zel entrance to my mouth, and she gladly accepted.

I hard a canine growl erupt from the back of my throat.

Zellie's eyes shot open in astonishment.

"Sorry..." Another kiss. "That was me."

The door opened suddenly and we jumped apart with about a three second delay.

Thankfully, it was only a maid, but she still stared at us, horrified.

I scratched the back of my neck, embarrassed.

Zel's face was a flattering shade of pink, and she was trying to hide herself behind me.

"Uhh.." I began. "Hey? How's it going?"

(A few minutes later.)

I ran out of the closet, Zel nowhere to be found, and was being chased by this women who had to right to! I was screaming like a girl, and all she had was a feather duster.

It seemed like everyone found out about the Link demise.

I ran and ran and ran.

She wouldn't let me go.

"I told you I was sorry!" I screeched.

Zelda stormed out from some hiding spot and rolled her eyes. "This is getting a bit out of hand, don't you think?" She stuck out her hand and successfully created a forcefield in between the psycho lady and me.

"Thanks, Zellie, I owe you one."

"Mmmmhmmm..." She pronounced. "You're coming with me."

I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. "It that a good thing?"

She turned around, her hair swishing everywhere, a devious glint in her beautiful eyes. "It is what you make of it. But remember, you broke the rules. Never kiss me unless I say so, right? Maybe the princess isn't the only one to receive the consequences for her actions."

I made up my mind again. "Nope. Not good."

"Just wait and see, alright?"

"But what if I don't want to," I complained.

Apparently, two could play at that game. She moved her hand and sparks shot out of it. "Then you don't have any choice."

I imagined myself being burned to a crisp. "Surprises are good. Link likes surprises."

"That's what I thought."

Zelda's rooms where capacious, but not overly large. She rounded on me.

She reached up and slapped me.

I had both of my hands cupped over my left cheek in a millisecond, yelping, "Goddesses, Zel!" At the top of my lungs.

The tingling sensation that first came over my face for just a bit turned to a screeching burn, and I doubled over.

"I told you what my rule was."

I looked up at her. "Since we're courting, can I kiss you whenever I want?"

She pretended to stroke a beard on her face. "I suppose."

I smiled. "It's so hard to hate you. Although, if you really wanted, I could grow a beard. Y'know, because you seem to have a fascination with them."

She gawked. "You'd do that for me?"

I sheepishly nodded. "I'd do almost anything for you."

"I like you the way you are. Bed-headed and mine."

I found myself scratching the back of my head again. "When you put it that way, this seems so real."

"I know."

I looked at her adoringly. "Zel, you make me feel so weak! It's not fair!"

"I hoped you'd say something like that," a new voice stated.

King Harkinian himself walked in on us. He chuckled. "Don't think I haven't heard about your little escape to the closet, either."

I felt a fiery heat find its way to the tips of my ears and the cheeks on my face.

"Zelda," he addressed his daughter. "I feel that it is all to soon that I'll be saying goodbye to you for real. I need to know that if I leave the country in your hands, you'll do your best to rule, you'll find a suitable husband, and have many children." King Harkinian turned to me. "That's where you come in. I take it you won't be leaving Zelda anytime soon?"

I shook my head, stunned.

"I'm nearly sure you'll ask her to marry you in good time, am I correct?"

My mouth was suddenly rather dry. "Um... I guess, if I did on my own time. Like how it's supposed to be done, and not some royal proposal."

"I need to trust you. You're a good man."

I nodded my head.

"Link, may I speak to you outside for a bit?" My king asked seriously.

I nodded once again.

He lead me outside and clapped one of his hands on my left shoulder. "I give you my blessing. You're so great for Zelda, and I can see it. I know you'll have several children, and the throne will be secured rather quickly,"

I blushed at even the thought of that.

"And you'll treat my princess correctly. She'll surely teach you how to be a proper king, and I know you'll be great. Just promise me you'll fight for her no matter what the danger is? I can't stand even thinking about my baby being hurt."

I felt a whole lot better. "I'll promise you this: I will do my very best to satisfy Zelda and any possible children, while doing my duty as king and keeping everyone safe."

I saw the tears. "Thank you. I must go now, but really, I'm not upset about your little shenanigan earlier. I trust you not to do anything that my little girl doesn't want."

I wandered back into Zelda's chambers and placed myself on one of her divans.

She soon walked back into the room, previously being absent, and asked me, "Link, do you want something to eat?"

"Not really." I patted the spot next to me. "Come sit."

Zel came right over and plopped down next to me, and I could feel the tenseness in the air.

I sighed. "We'll consider things later. Right now, let me be your pillow and blanket."

She was really too sleepy to object. She cuddled right up to my body, her head on my chest, her arms around my torso. She was facing me, and I couldn't help but sneak one glance down her dress before dozing off.

I woke up to a thunderous pounding on the door.

"Princess! Just unlock the door!" Cried a voice I didn't recognize.

I new they wanted the princess, put she looked so content sleeping on the divan that I simply couldn't not let her sleep.

I stretched, yawned, and ran a hand through my hair before coming to the door.

"Hello?" I asked.

The two maids standing there were absolutely shocked. They both screamed but didn't run off.

So maybe me answering the door wasn't he best of ideas...

"Why are you in the princess's quarters?"

I scratched my head. "Something about her wanting to cuddle with me and her falling asleep on me, then me falling asleep."

Another maid gaped at me and shouted, "You fell asleep with the princess?"

I banged my head against the doorframe rather forcefully. "Kinda. Well, maybe, but not in the way you think! We were cuddling, not even on a bed, and we fell asleep! That's all! I promise."

"He's right." Zel had crept up behind me. "And it was my decision as well, so don't give him a hard time. I'll dress myself, I'll do my own hair, and I'll find something from the icebox to eat. I'll be fine."

The maids knew that was the time to leave.

I turned to Zel, my right elbow against her door frame. "You know that there are gonna be so many bad rumors about us so quickly, right?"

"Yeah." She looked up guiltily. "I'm sorry I got you into this."

"Zelda. It's all worth it for you. Your the person who I asked to court me in front of the whole of Hyrule. It's fine. We'll be fine." I talked gently, pouring every feeling I had for Zel into my words. "Now," I swatted her butt playfully, "go get changed."

"Link!" She yelped.

I smirked and went to the portion of the castle where my rooms were so I could get ready.

A/N- I know, kinda short, but I have several other thing I do, and plus, my sister wanted it updated! :) Please leave a review, constructive criticism is much appreciated. Thanks to all new followers and favoriters! I won't disappoint! :)