Enter Veryl, Crown Prince of Fondor.

Chapter 10: The Day of the Celebration

At noon the next day, Malon was brought in by Zelda herself, to prove it was her.

"Link!"

"Malon!"

They embraced as well as they could through the bars of the cell.

"Why is she letting us see each other?"

"I requested it. Listen, she wants me to accompany her to the ball just to keep Nano and Veryl away."

"Those two? No wonder she was so desparate."

"Yes. She asked me as a friend if I would go as simply a placeholder."

"And you said?"

"That I would speak to you first."

She thought for a bit.

"You're sure she's just keeping Nano and Veryl off?"

"She is my friend. Why would she lie?"

"Same reason she tried to burn the farm. She's after you."

"Which is why I want to ask you for some blue potion. In case she tries anything dodgy."

"When will you want it?"

"Preferably tonight."

"I'll have it, but Link, do be careful."

She pecked him through the bars.

That evening...

The servants had spent hours dressing him, cleaning him, etc. Now he went to meet Zelda.

As he passed the throne room, he heard arguing.

"Father, I already have a date! I cannot go with them!"

"Zelda, it is important that you accept one of their requests. Lathis and Granda expect their sons to win your hand, and by doing so, we can prevent a war. You must accept a request."

"I already have a date!"

"Then you'll have to tell him you're not going with him."

"It's Link."

Silence.

"*Sigh*. They cannot compete with him. I am sorry, Zelda. If he was anyone even one modicum less important, I would have ordered you as King of Hyrule, not your father, that you would have to decline."

"Thank you father! You have no idea what this means!"

"I think I do. I caught Veryl mouthing off to the captain of the soldiers guarding the castle. As for Nano, he has offered to return to Ordona."

"Really? When?"

"Tomorrow morning. He has more pressing matters than you, such as their war with Aronia. But Veryl's father refuses to let him come without you as his wife, even though they've been fighting Chorydai."

Link knocked.

"Enter." said the King.

He threw open the doors and walked in. The servants had been mending his Hero's Tunic, and he had come to get it.

"Ah Link. I assume you heard part of our conversation?"

"Yes, your majesty."

The king waved his hand.

"Oh, enough with the 'Your Majesty.'"

"Yes sir."

"Now, I want the two of you to behave tonight. Zelda, especially you. No rubbing it in Veryl's face that he can't come with you."

Zelda blushed.

"Link, I know you are merely a placeholder. But be aware that the people are watching. We must maintain a place of standing among the nobles. I am sure most people will sympathize with Zelda, but it is up to her whether to allow Malon- yes I know about you and Malon- to allow her to dine with the two of you."

"I understand."

"Good. May the two of you have a good evening."

They exited.

As soon as they exited the room, Zelda turned right to him and said "Thank you so much, Link. You have no idea what this means to me."

Link shook his head.

"I cannot return your thanks. You locked me in a prison just for not accepting an invitation."

"An invitation to what?" came a drawling voice.

Zelda's face grew stern.

A tall man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a hooked nose stepped out. He was wearing desert royalty robes.

"I assume you are Veryl." Link said.

Veryl looked at him in disgust.

"That's PRINCE Veryl to you, scum. Soon to be KING Veryl." he said softly.

"I'll have you know I'm no ordinary commoner, VERYL." he emphasized, while speaking in an equally soft, cold voice.

Zelda grabbed his tunic and pulled him back.

"He's not worth it."

Link stopped.

"Well, then, my Zelda, when and where shall we meet for the celebration?" Veryl said more warmly.

Zelda responded coldly as well.

"I'd just as soon marry a Gohma as you."

"Very soon, then." he smirked.

"Strike that. I'd sooner marry a Moblin than you. As for tonight, I will not be meeting you anytime, anywhere."

"Oh, now, you know you want me." he simply would not take no for an answer.

"Yeah. I want you as far away from here as east is from west."

He lost his smug smile.

Link sniggered.

Veryl clenched his fists as he glared at Link. Link's hand made a reflexive movement to his sword hilt.

"Enough you two! Veryl, I am accompanying Link to the celebration."

Veryl looked as though he'd just been sentenced to death.

"You WHAT!?"

He grabbed Link by his tunic and slammed him against the wall.

"Veryl! Let go of him!"

"Not until you go with me!!"

He hit Link hard in the face, just under the cheekbone.

Link laughed.

"I've been hit harder by Chus."

He swung harder, infuriated.

Link spat the blood out to the side and countered again.

"Heh... You hit like a girl."

He hit even harder, even angrier.

"Where's your manhood? I bet even my friend's baby daughter could hit harder than this."

Veryl turned Link around and dragged his face across the wall, leaving a trail of blood.

Zelda had been screaming at them frantically for the last few seconds. Guards were running down the hall.

"Oi!! Get off him!!"

They pulled Veryl off Link, who collapsed.

Veryl fought.

"Do you know who I am!? I am Prince Veryl!! Let me go!!"

"You're not prince in our country." said one of the guards hauling him away.

"Zelda!!"

It was the king.

"What in Din's name happened here?!"

Zelda explained.

"I see. This will anger Lathis for sure. Now he has reason to declare war..."

He strode off angrily.

"Well, Link, I suppose now you're free to go." said Zelda.

Link groaned but shook his head.

"Come on. I'll get you some blue potion."

She led him to a room and got the potion.

"Have fun with Malon tonight." she said.

R&R